NCT05652634Completed
Chronic Stress as a Risk Factor for Long COVID
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 16 Sept 2025
Brief summary (registry, in English)
The disease caused by the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 is known as coronavirus disease with the acronym COVID-19. The acute phase of this condition typically lasts one to two weeks and usually results in a full recovery. However, in about 10-30% of those affected, the symptoms persist for more than four weeks after the onset of the disease. In this case, there is an ongoing COVID-19 illness known as long COVID. Long COVID can persist for many months and cause significant distress and limitations to those affected due to the long-term health consequences. The causes of long COVID are still unclear and, accordingly, therapeutic measures are still insufficiently developed. It is assumed that long COVID can in principle affect anyone. Age, gender, obesity and the number of symptoms during an acute COVID-19 illness are discussed as risk factors for long COVID. Another potential risk factor for developing long COVID could be chronic stress, which has been shown to put a strain on the immune system. It is known from infections with other coronaviruses and other viral respiratory diseases that chronic stress can lead to prolonged illness and limited recovery. The aim of this study is to systematically examine chronic stress, as it existed before infection with the coronavirus, as a possible risk factor for long COVID. For this purpose, 600 people who have been proven to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and have developed symptoms of COVID-19 will be included in this study.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 380 (actual)
- First submitted
- 14 Dec 2022
- Start date
- 9 Feb 2023
- Primary completion date
- 31 Jan 2024
- Lead sponsor
- Medical University of Graz
- Diseases
- Long COVID and ME/CFS
- NCT number
- NCT05652634
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Participants enrolled: 380
- From 9 Feb 2023 to the primary completion date, 31 Jan 2024
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Other
- Insufficient knowledge of German language; lengths of hair at rear vertex less than 2 cm; pregnancy or postpartum less than 3 months; refusal to give informed consent
Who the study is looking for
- Adults (\>18 years); qPCR-test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection; symptom(s) of acute COVID-19; inclusion within defined timeframe of one week after testing; data collection online, by phone and at study visits feasible
Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University Graz, Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Graz | Austria | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.