Ignite Creation Date:
2026-03-26 @ 3:17 PM
Ignite Modification Date:
2026-03-31 @ 2:38 PM
Study NCT ID:
NCT07355751
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2026-01-21
First Post:
2026-01-02
Is NOT Gene Therapy:
True
Has Adverse Events:
False
Brief Title:
The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID
Sponsor:
Tingting Luo
Organization:
Study Overview
Official Title:
The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID: a Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2026-01
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief 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.
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.
Detailed Description:
None
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: