80 Participants Needed

Acupuncture for Post-COVID Syndrome

RG
Overseen ByRachel Geyer
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Washington
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 4 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the idea that Acupuncture for Post-COVID Syndrome is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that acupuncture may help improve symptoms related to Post-COVID Syndrome. One case report highlights a patient benefiting from acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Another study suggests acupuncture can improve the side effects of COVID-19 treatments, which often have harmful side effects. Additionally, acupuncture has been reported to help with respiratory distress and other symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and depression. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness.12345

What data supports the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for post-COVID syndrome?

Acupuncture has been shown to help with various symptoms related to COVID-19, such as improving lung function, reducing fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and alleviating respiratory distress. It is considered a useful addition to supportive care for COVID-19-related symptoms, as seen in case reports and reviews.12345

What safety data is available for acupuncture treatments?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe, but it can have adverse events (AEs). Systematic reviews and studies have identified four major categories of AEs: organ or tissue injuries, infections, local reactions, and other complications like dizziness. Serious AEs are rare but can occur, sometimes leading to mortality. The most common complications are infections, often bacterial, due to improper needle use. Ensuring acupuncturists are well-trained and follow safety guidelines, such as the Clean Needle Technique, is crucial for minimizing risks.678910

Is acupuncture generally safe for humans?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe, but it can have some risks. Serious issues like organ injuries and infections are rare, but minor problems like dizziness or local reactions can happen. It's important to ensure the acupuncturist is well-trained to minimize these risks.678910

Is acupuncture a promising treatment for Post-COVID Syndrome?

Acupuncture is a promising treatment because it has been shown to help with pain relief in various conditions, such as after surgery and chronic pain. It is a common alternative medicine that can effectively manage pain and improve recovery.1112131415

How is acupuncture different from other treatments for post-COVID syndrome?

Acupuncture, including variations like electroacupuncture and hand acupuncture, is unique because it involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve symptoms, which is different from conventional drug treatments. It is often used for pain management and may offer benefits for post-COVID syndrome by potentially improving pain and other symptoms without the use of medication.1112131415

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this preliminary study is to test methods and procedures to be used in a fully-powered trial to evaluate acupuncture treatment effectiveness. Specifically, we will test the feasibility of conducting a 2-arm randomized clinical trial for evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture for pain in patients with long COVID. Researchers will compare pain intensity and impact on general activities over 5 months in those who receive acupuncture treatment compared to patients who are receiving usual long COVID care.Participants will complete 4 online surveys at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 20. These surveys include validated mental and physical health questionnaires. Participants who are randomly selected to receive the intervention will receive 8 acupuncture treatment sessions.

Research Team

NG

Nikki Gentile, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals experiencing pain due to long COVID. Participants must be willing to complete online health surveys and attend acupuncture sessions if selected. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria details are not provided, but typically involve factors like age, overall health status, and the severity of symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

My pain level has been 4 or higher in the past week.
I have had COVID-19 before.
I have had pain, such as joint or headache, for over 12 weeks after a COVID-19 infection.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have a high-risk seizure disorder with recent changes or uncontrolled triggers.
I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
Is currently Pregnant
See 6 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 8 weekly acupuncture treatment sessions for long COVID-related pain

8 weeks
8 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks
4 online surveys at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 20

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Acupuncture
Trial Overview The study is testing whether acupuncture can help reduce pain in patients with long COVID compared to usual care. It's a preliminary study designed as a randomized clinical trial where some participants will receive acupuncture over five months while others continue their regular treatments.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: AcupunctureExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment
Group II: Usual CareActive Control1 Intervention
Participants will continue to receive any current or recommended treatments from their doctors for their long COVID symptoms.

Acupuncture is already approved in United States, European Union, China for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Acupuncture for:
  • Pain management
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Neuropathy
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Acupuncture for:
  • Pain management
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
🇨🇳
Approved in China as Acupuncture for:
  • Pain management
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Neuropathy

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,858
Recruited
2,023,000+

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Collaborator

Trials
886
Recruited
677,000+

Findings from Research

A 50-year-old woman with post-COVID syndrome experienced significant symptom relief, including resolution of chest pressure and palpitations, after just one acupuncture treatment, followed by complete recovery after a total of seven sessions combined with symptom-titrated physical activity.
The case suggests that acupuncture may be a beneficial component of a multidisciplinary approach to treating post-COVID syndrome, although further research is needed to isolate its effects from concurrent therapies.
Acupuncture in Multidisciplinary Treatment for Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.Trager, RJ., Brewka, EC., Kaiser, CM., et al.[2022]
This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy for COVID-19 patients by analyzing randomized controlled trials published up to May 2020, focusing on primary outcomes like symptom disappearance and serum cytokine levels.
The study will assess a wide range of secondary outcomes, including the rate of negative COVID-19 results, clinical cure rates, and hospitalization times, to provide comprehensive evidence on the potential benefits of acupuncture in treating COVID-19.
The effect of acupuncture on the quality of life of patients recovering from COVID-19: A systematic review protocol.Wen, D., Wu, L., Dong, Y., et al.[2022]
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating the side effects of western medicine treatments for COVID-19, which can include serious complications like heart and liver issues.
The systematic review will assess various health outcomes, including mortality rates and clinical symptoms, while also monitoring the safety of acupuncture, making it a comprehensive approach to understanding its potential benefits for COVID-19 patients.
The efficacy of acupuncture for improving the side effects of COVID-19 western medicine treatments: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.Huang, KY., Chang, CH., Hsu, CH.[2022]

References

Acupuncture in Multidisciplinary Treatment for Post-COVID-19 Syndrome. [2022]
The effect of acupuncture on the quality of life of patients recovering from COVID-19: A systematic review protocol. [2022]
The efficacy of acupuncture for improving the side effects of COVID-19 western medicine treatments: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]
Multi-effective characteristics and advantages of acupuncture in COVID-19 treatment. [2023]
Medical Acupuncture as a Treatment for Novel COVID-19-Related Respiratory Distress: Personal Experience from a Frontline Anesthesiologist. [2022]
Safety of Acupuncture: Overview of Systematic Reviews. [2022]
Acupuncture-related adverse events: a systematic review of the Chinese literature. [2022]
Adverse events associated with acupuncture: three multicentre randomized controlled trials of 1968 cases in China. [2021]
Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies. [2021]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Adverse events of acupuncture: a systematic review of case reports. [2022]
[Comparison of different schools of hand acupuncture therapies]. [2021]
Acupuncture for postoperative pain in laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review protocol. [2019]
[Effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia in the treatment of chronic post-traumatic pain syndromes]. [2011]
14.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Acupuncture-Induced Cranial Epidural Abscess: Case Report and Review of the Literature. [2020]
A combination of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for postoperative pain after abdominal surgery for gynaecological diseases: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Back to top
Terms of Service·Privacy Policy·Cookies·Security