tDCS in the Management of Post-COVID Disorders

Summary

Different physical and mental morbidities such as pain, fatigue, depressed mood and cognitive impairment can be triggered by coronavirus infection. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), an easy-to-apply, non-pharmacological and safe technique, has been used to attenuate these symptoms caused by other diseases, and, therefore, it is expected that it can also attenuate them when generated by COVID-19. It is known that the persistent inflammatory state observed after COVID-19 would be related to the progression of these negative symptoms. As non-invasive brain stimulation can also attenuate acute and persistent inflammation, it can be estimated that tDCS can be a useful tool to recover immune function and reduce post-COVID-19 morbidity.

Conditions

• Long COVID

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

tDCS deliver low-intensity electrical currents (2 mA) through electrodes placed on the scalp. It is used to influence brain function, modulating the neuronal activity in specific areas, in a non-invasive way, as the stimulation may not be perceived sensorially due to the low intensity. In some cases, it can provide mild tingling and bring minimal discomfort. It has the ability to increase or decrease the cortical excitability of neurons, influencing the polarization of neuronal membranes, with the anodal pole (positive) facilitating depolarization that results in increased neuronal excitability in the area, and the cathodal pole (negative) promoting a hyperpolarization of the neuronal resting membrane potential that reduces cortical excitability, used to inhibit activity in a particular cortical area.

BEHAVIORAL

Motor Training

Motor training will be performed on the treadmill with the speed respecting the limits of the patient's maximum heart rate. To determine the maximum heart rate, the calculation must be performed: maximum heart rate = 208 - (0.7\*age). For participants who use beta-blockers, the following formula will be used: maximum heart rate = 164 - (0.7\*age). Just for the arms of fatigue and pain.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Training

an n-Back task will be performed online at PsyToolkit (https://www.psytoolkit.org/). Just for the arms of cognitive impairment and depressed mood.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• São Paulo State University

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Patrícia Lopes, graduation · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Lívia Shirahige, PhD · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Bárbara Sousa · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Ana Cecília · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Adriana Baltar, PhD · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Rodrigo De Mattos, Master · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Gabriel Barreto, Master · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

• Fábio Santos de Lira, PhD · Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Science and Technology - Presidente Prudente Campus

• Fabrício Oliveira Souto, PhD · Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

• Kátia Monte-Silva, PhD · Laboratory of Applied Neuroscience, Federal University of Pernambuco

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-08-25

Primary Completion

2024-07-01

Completion

2024-09-28

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations