The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID

Summary

Background of study:

Long COVID(LC) is a prevalent sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection and can affect multiple organ systems. Cognitive dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms in LC with 22% prevalence. It can persist for years and significantly reduce patients' quality of life. Brain network is the neural basis underlying human cognitive processes. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) research has revealed that alterations of network characteristics were associated with cognitive impairments across attention, memory, executive function and language in LC. Currently, there is no accepted therapy for cognitive impairment in LC. Acupuncture, as a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy, has potential to improve cognitive deficits for LC. However, research focusing on the impact of acupuncture on cognitive functions in LC is rare. Additionally, no one has evaluated the mechanism of acupuncture improving cognitive functions in LC.

Objective of the study:

This study aims to assess the effect of acupuncture treatment on cognitive function and explore the central mechanism of acupuncture therapy in improving cognitive function for LC using cognitive assessments, DTI and resting-state fMRI.

Study design:

A prospective, three-armed, randomized controlled trial with DTI and rs-fMRI. Adults with LC will be randomly assigned to acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waitlist control group in a 1:1:1 ratio, receiving 8-week intervention or waiting. Cognitive function and topological attributes of brain networks will be examined at baseline and 8th week.

Study population:

Patients fulfilling World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for LC will be included in this study.

Conditions

• Long Covid

Interventions

OTHER

Acupuncture

Two sets of acupoints will be alternatively acupunctured. The first set of acupuncture points incudes Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Zusanli (ST36), bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP6). The second set of acupoints consist of Sishenchong (EX-HN1), bilateral Ganshu (BL18), bilateral Pishu (BL20), bilaetral Shenshu (BL23). The treatment consists of 24 sessions of 30 minutes, given within eight weeks (three sessions per week).A set of acupoints will be acupunctured each treatment session.

OTHER

Sham acupuncture

Nonpenetrating acupuncture on non-acupoints will be performed using Park sham acupuncture device (0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, Hwatuo, Suzhou, China) for participants. Two sets of non-acupoints will be alternatively acupunctured. The first set of sham acupoints includes bilateral non-acupoint 1, non-acupoint 2, non-acupoint 3, bilateral non-acupoint 4, bilateral non-acupoint 5. The second set consists of bilateral non-acupoint 6, bilateral non-acupoint 7, bilateral non-acupoint 8. The treatment consists of 24 sessions of 30 minutes, given within eight weeks (three sessions per week). A set of non-acupoints will be acupunctured each treatment session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tingting Luo

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-31

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• China

Study Locations