Sign in

NCT07697261Not yet recruiting

Fatigue in Long COVID

Fatigue in Long COVID Managed With Conservative Care: An International, Randomized Controlled Trial (FALCON Trial)

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 13 Jul 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Long COVID affects about 6 in 100 people after a COVID-19 infection. It can cause ongoing problems like ongoing tiredness, muscle pain, and "brain fog." We know very little about which treatments might be helpful for long COVID. The goal of this trial is to compare two treatments for people with long COVID to try to manage their symptoms. The main question is to assess whether the Lightning Process is effective for people living with long COVID compared to activity pacing. Each person will be placed into one of the two groups randomly (by chance, like flipping a coin). Activity pacing helps people balance rest and daily activities. The Lightning Process teaches ways to change thought patterns and body responses to symptoms. We will include 100 adults with long COVID. Everything will be done online, including filling out surveys about health and daily life. The goal is to find out which approach helps people feel better and improve their daily activities.

Status (registry)
Not yet recruiting
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
100 (estimated)
First submitted
25 Jun 2026
Start date
1 Nov 2026
Primary completion date
31 Dec 2028
Lead sponsor
McMaster University
NCT number
NCT07697261

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Planned participants: 100
  • From 1 Nov 2026 to the primary completion date, 31 Dec 2028
  • No sites listed in no 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 illness

  • The exclusion criteria are:
    • Long COVID participants whose presentation is primarily restricted to anosmia.
    • Participants with Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) or serious organic sequelae of COVID-19, such as structural lung injury attributable to mechanical ventilation or other organ damage requiring ongoing specialist management.
    • Participants who will not be able to attend intervention sessions or follow up visits due to anticipated significant life changes or relocation.
    • Unable to provide informed consent (e.g. cognitive disability, language barrier)
    • Co-morbidities that likely to impair function for as long or longer than long COVID
    • Current participation in psychotherapy, structured physical rehabilitation (e.g., physiotherapy or occupational therapy), or another trial that does not permit co-enrollment.

Who the study is looking for

  • The inclusion criteria for participants are:
    • Adults aged 18 to 65 years
    • Meeting the WHO clinical case definition for long COVID and
    • Self-reported experiencing long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog.
    • Reporting a minimum score of ≥35 on the Checklist Individual Strength CIS-fatigue domain.
    • Able to speak and read English
    • Scoring higher in contemplation, action or maintenance scores than the precontemplation phase on the readiness to change questionnaire
    • Provides consent for study participation.
    • Consistent access to an internet-connected device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop) that can facilitate access to the study interventions.

Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.