Overview
In this study, a 16-week randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial will be conducted to to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture for treatment of long covid neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Description
This is a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded and multiple center trial on electro-acupuncture for treating neuropsychiatric symptoms in long covid patients. A total of 150 participants will be randomly assigned to the electro-acupuncture and the sham-control group with 1:1 ratio. Both groups will receive 32 sessions of interventions during 16-week treatment duration (2 session per week), and will be followed up for 8 weeks.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- adults over 18 years of age to 80;
- history of SARS-CoV-2 PCR+ at least 4 weeks prior to study entry; SARS-CoV-2 negative (PCR) at study entry;
- at least one persistent neurological symptom (impaired concentration, headache, sensory disturbances, or depression, or "brain fog") that began around the time of the acute COVID-19;
- willing and able to consent, complete all assessment and study procedures.
Exclusion Criteria:
- any chronic or remote neurological disorder (i.e. stroke, head trauma, epilepsy, tumor);
- intellectual disability pre-existing to the Covid-19 episode;cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and patients with cardiac pacemakers,
- acute brain injury or acute encephalopathy from another aetiology than covid (e.g., sepsis, liver or renal failure, alcohol or drug withdrawal, drug toxicity);
- documented pre-existing history of psychiatric illness, including substance abuse;
- open-heart cardiac surgery or cardiac arrest during the last 6 months;
- current hospitalization;
- pregnant women.