Using acupuncture to relieve pain in people with Long COVID

Pain Relief with Integrative Medicine (PRIMEe)?: Feasibility Trial of Acupuncture for Long COVID

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10789679

This study is looking at whether acupuncture can help people with Long COVID feel better and improve their daily lives, and it's for anyone dealing with the pain and other tough symptoms of this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10789679 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of acupuncture as a treatment for pain and other debilitating symptoms experienced by individuals suffering from Long COVID. The study aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving quality of life and daily functioning for these patients. By focusing on the whole person, the research seeks to address the complex nature of Long COVID, which affects multiple body systems. Participants will receive acupuncture treatments at the University of Washington's Post-COVID Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing persistent pain and other symptoms related to Long COVID.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Long COVID or are not experiencing pain related to this condition may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for pain relief in patients suffering from Long COVID.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that acupuncture can be effective in treating various types of chronic pain, suggesting potential success for this approach in the context of Long COVID.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions coronavirus disease-19 impact
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.