About the STIMULATE-ICP Study

Largest trial for long COVID to-date aims to improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation 

The Challenge

Two million people in the UK are estimated to have had persistent symptoms for more than 12 weeks following initial coronavirus infection, with far-reaching impact on patients, healthcare and the economy. Over 80 long COVID clinics have been established around England but we need to better understand, diagnose and treat this new disease. Inequalities in access to and provision of long COVID care have already become apparent.

The Solution

A trial, coordinated by the University of Central Lancashire, aims to recruit over 1200 people with long-COVID, across a number of Long Covid Clinics across England and Scotland. As well as evaluating current care, the study will include evaluation of community-based, comprehensive MRI scan (using CoverscanTM developed by Perspectum) and enhanced rehabilitation (Living with COVID RecoveryTM developed by Living With), to inform a new integrated care pathway for people with long COVID.  Within this study, another trial will test different drugs to measure effects of three months treatment on symptoms, mental health, return to work and other important outcomes. You can find out more about the drugs being tested and more information on taking part here.

To improve recovery, the team will work out what long COVID is, how to diagnose it and how to manage it. They will interview patients and health professionals and analyse data from NHS records, informing our understanding of patterns of long COVID and the outcomes of current clinical practice. You can read our findings here.

The STIMULATE-ICP consortium includes: University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, University College London, University of Central Lancashire, LongCovidSOS, UK Doctors #Longcovid, Royal College of General Practitioners, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Perspectum, Living With, University of Hull, Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust, University of York, University of Leicester, University of Exeter, University of Southampton, University of Sussex, Alliance Medical, GE Healthcare, Olink, Francis Crick Institute, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North Thames, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast, British Heart Foundation Data Science Centre, BHF Data Science Centre, Health Data Research UK, Office of National Statistics, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, as well as NIHR Clinical Research Network support.