Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to ease long COVID symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot uses a flexible acupuncture protocol, with an option to add Chinese herbal supplements, delivered over an eight-week period to adults with long COVID. The main goal is to test feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness of the treatment in a pragmatic outpatient setting. The study plans to enroll about 10 participants who have documented prior COVID-19 and at least one common long COVID symptom for four weeks or more, with regular in-person treatment visits at SCUHS in Whittier, California. Patient-reported symptoms, functional measures, and quality-of-life questionnaires will be collected to generate preliminary estimates of effects.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older

  * We will include adults of any age in our study. Adults of all ages can experience long COVID symptoms, although it is more common in older adults

    • Confirmed and documented COVID-19 illness (confirmed by healthcare provider or test; acceptable documentation includes but is not limited to a doctor's note or a photo of test result)
  * COVID-19 illness is a necessary precursor to the development of long COVID

    • Experiencing at least one of the following common long COVID symptoms for at least 4 weeks after confirmed COVID-19 illness:
  * Fatigue or post-exertional malaise,
  * Dyspnea, cough,
  * Brain fog, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety,
  * Arthralgia, myalgia, or
  * Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain
* Over 200 different long COVID symptoms have been identified. The proposed study is a small pragmatic pilot study which only plans to enroll 10 participants. It is necessary to limit inclusion to some of the most common symptoms to ensure that the findings are broadly relevant across the long COVID patient population.

  * The symptoms were not present prior to the confirmed COVID-19 illness

    o If the symptoms were present prior to the confirmed COVID-19 illness, then they are most likely attributable to a cause other than long COVID
  * Willingness to comply with the treatment schedule

    o It is important that all those who qualify for the study are willing to comply with the protocol that is being adopted. If the patient is not willing to attend acupuncture treatment sessions or comply with the supplement schedule, then they may not be enrolled in the study.
  * Ability to read and understand English o Informed consent will be in the English language. Inability to read and understand English will interfere with provision of informed consent. Moreover, compliance is a potential issue with herbal supplementation. Recruiting patients who are able to read and understand English instructions for supplement intake will help to improve compliance with the protocol.
  * Ability to provide informed consent o It is important that participants are aware that they are required to provide written informed consent before they are allowed to participate. Some individuals who are eligible might be unwilling to sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Under 18 years of age

  * Pulmonary fibrosis or on continuous oxygen treatment
  * Certain preexisting conditions:

    * Diagnosed with Alzheimer's or demonstrating onset of dementia
    * Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, or autoimmune conditions
    * Other comorbid conditions that might imitate long COVID symptoms
  * Undergoing cancer treatments
  * Use of acupuncture or Chinese medicine in the past three months
  * Involved in health-related litigation or legal claims
  * Missing either baseline visit and deemed unlikely to comply with the study protocol
  * Pregnant or breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant

Where it's running

• Scuhs
  Whittier, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: S. Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda) DACM, MPH
• Email: prasad@scuhs.edu
• Phone: 562-947-8755

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.