Acupuncture for Post-COVID Syndrome

Overseen By Rachel Geyer

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

Disqualifiers: Seizure disorder, Pregnancy, Cancer therapy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 4 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to test how acupuncture might help people with long COVID, focusing on pain relief. Researchers will compare those receiving acupuncture treatments to those continuing their usual care over five months to determine any differences in pain levels and daily activities. Ideal candidates have experienced ongoing pain for at least 12 weeks after a COVID infection and have been seen at the UW Long COVID Clinic. Participants receiving acupuncture will attend eight sessions, and all participants will complete online surveys to track their progress. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for patients to explore alternative treatments and contribute to understanding acupuncture's potential benefits for long COVID.

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 prior data suggests that acupuncture is safe for treating long COVID?

Research has shown that acupuncture is generally safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found it can help with symptoms like tiredness and muscle pain in people recovering from COVID-19. Ongoing research examines its safety and effectiveness for treating post-COVID conditions. So far, acupuncture has been linked to symptom improvements, suggesting it is a safe option for many people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for post-COVID syndrome, which often include medications like anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy, acupuncture offers a holistic approach by stimulating specific points on the body to promote healing and energy flow. Researchers are excited about acupuncture because it may help alleviate symptoms without the need for pharmaceuticals, potentially reducing side effects and interactions with other medications. Additionally, acupuncture might provide relief more quickly than traditional methods, offering a new avenue of hope for those struggling with long COVID symptoms.

What evidence suggests that acupuncture might be an effective treatment for long COVID?

Research has shown that acupuncture, which participants in this trial may receive, might help with long COVID symptoms such as pain and tiredness. One study found that traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, improved symptoms by about 62% in patients. Another study demonstrated that acupuncture could reduce tiredness and muscle pain. Although more high-quality studies are needed, early results suggest acupuncture may help ease some long COVID symptoms. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nikki Gentile, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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.

As of today, has been seen by a clinician in the UW Long COVID Clinic either in-person or via telehealth/virtual visit

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Acupuncture Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 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

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A case report describes a 47-year-old immunosuppressed woman who developed a rare but serious intracranial abscess after receiving acupuncture for headaches, highlighting a potential risk associated with this alternative treatment.

The patient was successfully treated with targeted antibiotics following surgical evacuation of the abscess, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing complications from acupuncture, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture-Induced Cranial Epidural Abscess: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Priola, SM., Moghaddamjou, A., Ku, JC., et al.[2020]

A study involving 106 patients with chronic post-traumatic pain syndrome found that acupuncture analgesia is effective in treating pain, but the infrared thermography (IRT) method was more effective overall compared to traditional methods.

Electroanalgesia provided quicker pain relief and better restoration of vegetative and trophic functions than acupuncture, suggesting it may be a faster option for managing pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effectiveness of acupuncture analgesia in the treatment of chronic post-traumatic pain syndromes]. Tkachuk, VN., Medvedev, IP., Bachurin, EP.[2011]

In a study involving 1968 patients across three multicenter randomized controlled trials, only 3.76% experienced adverse events from acupuncture, indicating a low risk associated with this therapy.

The most common adverse events were minor, such as subcutaneous haematoma and needle site pain, and all but one patient recovered within two weeks, suggesting acupuncture is generally safe when performed by skilled practitioners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events associated with acupuncture: three multicentre randomized controlled trials of 1968 cases in China. Zhao, L., Zhang, FW., Li, Y., et al.[2021]

A review of 8 hand acupuncture schools revealed inconsistencies in positioning methods and needling techniques, as well as a lack of clarity on the specific diseases treated, highlighting the need for standardization.

Future research should focus on optimizing hand acupuncture practices, developing quantitative standards, and promoting integration among different acupuncture schools to enhance the effectiveness and application of hand acupuncture therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Comparison of different schools of hand acupuncture therapies]. Wang, RQ., Zhang, ZD., Liu, JX., et al.[2021]

Acupuncture can lead to adverse events (AEs), including organ or tissue injuries, infections, local reactions, and other complications, with serious AEs being rare but potentially life-threatening, as highlighted by a review of 17 systematic reviews.

The overall methodological quality of the reviews on acupuncture AEs was mediocre, indicating a need for improved research standards and emphasizing the importance of patient safety and acupuncturist training in practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety of Acupuncture: Overview of Systematic Reviews. Chan, MWC., Wu, XY., Wu, JCY., et al.[2022]

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for managing postoperative pain in patients after laparoscopic surgery, analyzing data from various international databases.

The review will include randomized controlled trials and assess the risk of bias, potentially providing valuable insights for clinicians and patients regarding the use of acupuncture in postoperative care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture for postoperative pain in laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review protocol. Lee, S., Park, J., Kim, J., et al.[2019]

In a study of 72 patients undergoing laparotomy for gynecological diseases, combined electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture significantly reduced pain at rest compared to a sham control, particularly at 22 hours post-surgery.

While the acupuncture group reported lower pain scores, the overall efficacy of acupuncture for postoperative pain management remains inconclusive, as no significant differences were found in other outcomes and no serious adverse events occurred.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A combination of electroacupuncture and auricular acupuncture for postoperative pain after abdominal surgery for gynaecological diseases: A randomized controlled trial. Lam, WL., Wang, J., Yeung, WF., et al.[2022]

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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture in Multidisciplinary Treatment for Post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Trager, RJ., Brewka, EC., Kaiser, CM., 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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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]

A case report describes a previously healthy anesthesiologist who contracted COVID-19 and successfully self-treated her pneumonia symptoms using cupping therapy and acupuncture, suggesting these methods may aid recovery.

The findings indicate that acupuncture could be a beneficial adjunct therapy in the supportive care of patients suffering from symptomatic COVID-19 pneumonia, highlighting its potential role in managing respiratory distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Medical Acupuncture as a Treatment for Novel COVID-19-Related Respiratory Distress: Personal Experience from a Frontline Anesthesiologist. Cheng, SI.[2022]

A systematic review of 115 Chinese-language articles identified 479 cases of adverse events related to acupuncture, with 14 reported deaths, highlighting significant safety concerns.

The most common adverse events included pneumothorax and infections, primarily resulting from improper techniques, indicating a need for improved monitoring and risk management in acupuncture practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture-related adverse events: a systematic review of the Chinese literature. Zhang, J., Shang, H., Gao, X., et al.[2022]

A review of adverse events (AEs) from acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping between 2000 and 2011 identified 308 AEs, with infections being the most common complication, particularly bacterial infections from skin contact at acupoint sites.

The study highlights the importance of following safety guidelines, like the Clean Needle Technique, to minimize the risk of infections during acupuncture, as previous concerns about hepatitis from reusable needles were not found in this review.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of acupuncture: a systematic review of case reports. Xu, S., Wang, L., Cooper, E., et al.[2022]

Acupuncture may help alleviate various symptoms related to COVID-19, such as respiratory, digestive, and mental health issues, by reducing inflammation and regulating the body's stress response, as suggested by a systematic review of existing literature.

The treatment appears to improve lung function and reduce symptoms like fatigue and anxiety, but the exact mechanisms of how acupuncture works in the context of COVID-19 are still not fully understood and require further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multi-effective characteristics and advantages of acupuncture in COVID-19 treatment. Wang, L., Hu, X., Geng, L., et al.[2023]

Acupuncture has a relatively low risk of adverse events (AEs), with at least one AE occurring in about 9.31% of patients undergoing treatment, and serious adverse events (SAEs) being very rare at approximately 1.01 per 10,000 patients.

The most common minor AEs are mild reactions such as bleeding or pain at the needle site, which are often considered intended effects of acupuncture, highlighting the need for standardized assessment tools to differentiate between adverse reactions and therapeutic responses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies. Bäumler, P., Zhang, W., Stübinger, T., et al.[2021]

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.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12055149/

Traditional Chinese medicine for post-COVID

After an average of 7 ± 4 TCM consultations, physicians rated global symptom improvement as 62% ± 29%. Significant alleviation from the start of ...

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210803325000235

Evaluating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in ...

The study demonstrated TCM's effectiveness in enhancing overall COVID-19 treatment rates and reducing neurological symptoms such as fatigue and muscle pain.

3.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1620288/full

Electro-acupuncture for long COVID neuropsychiatric ...

Acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, has shown promise in addressing these symptoms. Currently there is no high-quality clinical trial for acupuncture ...

4.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06633666

Acupuncture for Post COVID-19 Condition (Long ...

This is a pragmatic, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial on acupuncture for treating neuropsychiatric symptoms in long Covid patients.

5.

journals.lww.com

journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/05020/traditional_chinese_medicine_for_post_covid__a.43.aspx

Traditional Chinese medicine for post-COVID

After an average of 7 ± 4 TCM consultations, physicians rated global symptom improvement as 62% ± 29%. Significant alleviation from the start of ...

6.

researchprotocols.org

researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e69417

Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Post–COVID-19 ...

This study aims to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review evaluating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of PCI.