Long CovidNCT07355751
The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID
A study testing Acupuncture in people with Long Covid, run by Tingting Luo at 2 sites in China.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Long Covid
- What is being tested?
- Acupuncture
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesChina
- Study dates
- May 2026to Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-60 years
- Fulfilling WHO criteria for long COVID
- History of confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab or antigen test of nasal swab ;
- Having subjective cognitive problems
- Native Chinese speakers
- Right handedness
- Voluntary to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form.
Who cannot join
- Preexisting cognitive symptoms before COVID-19
- Previous or current diagnosis of chronic conditions that may affect cognitive performances (such as neurological, psychiatric disorders, organ failure, chronic infectious diseases)
- Prior loss of consciousness
- History of major surgery within a year
- Long-term use of drugs that may influence cognition(such as tranquilizer, antidepressant, immunosuppressor)
- Previous acupuncture treatment within 3 months
Show all 13Show fewer
- Involvement of other clinical study within 4 weeks
- Obesity(BMI≥28)
- Sensory disorders(deafness, color blindness)
- Limb dysfunction
- Metal implantation
- Claustrophobia
- Pregnancy or lactation
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China2 sites
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130
Xi Wu, +86-18008020710, wuxi@cdutcm.edu.cn
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID: a Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
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.
Read more
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
- Being tested
- Acupuncture, Sham acupuncture
- Keywords
- Long COVID, cognitive function, acupuncture, neuropsychological test, brain network, magnetic resonance imaging, multimodal methods
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
AcupunctureOther
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.
Sham acupunctureOther
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Verum Acupuncture group | Experimental | Acupoints with acupuncture treatment Receives: Other: Acupuncture |
| Sham acupuncture group | Sham comparator | Non-acupoints with sham acupuncture treatment Receives: Other: Sham acupuncture |
| Waitlist control group | No intervention | Acupoints with acupuncture treatment after 8-week waiting period |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III total score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III is a cognitive screening tool, and the total score assess general cognitive function. The total score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher score indicates better general cognitive function
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Phonemic Fluency Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Phonemic fluency test measures the number of correct words produced under restricted search conditions of phonemic(letter F) . Higher score indicates better language.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (27)
Changes of Digit Span Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Digit Span Test consists of forward and backward subtests, that respectively assess attention and executive function through measuring the number of correct digit sequences. The minimum score is 0 , and the maximum scores are respectively 10 and 9 for forward and backward subtests. Higher scores indicate better attention and executive function.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Symbol Digit Modality Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Symbol Digit Modality Test assesses attention through measuring the number of correct responses within 90 seconds. The minimum score is 0, and the maximum score is 110. Higher score indicates better attention.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Trail Making Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Trail Making Test includes Part A(TMT-A) and Part B(TMT-B), that respectively evaluates attention and executive function via measuring the time in seconds required for completing each part of the test. Higher scores indicate worse attention and executive function.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test evaluates different aspects of verbal memory through measuring total learning, repetitions, delayed recall, retroactive interference, and proactive interference. Higher scores for total learning and delayed recall indicate better memory, while higher scores for repetitions, retroactive interference, and proactive interference indicate worse memory.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test evaluates visuospatial construction ability through measuring the accuracy of copy, and evaluates visual memory via measuring the accuracies of immediate and delayed recalls. Higher scores indicate better visuospatial construction and visual memory.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Stroop Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Stroop test consists of Stroop word test(Part A), Stroop color test(Part B) and Stroop color word test(Part C), that assess executive function through measuring the time in second required to complete each part and the number of errors for each part. Higher score for each part indicates worse executive function.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Category Fluency Test Score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Category Fluency Test assesses language through measuring the number of correct words produced under restricted search condition of category(animals). Higher score for each subtest indicates better language.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Action Fluency Test Score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Action Fluency Test evaluates language via measures the number of correct words produced under restricted search condition of action(kitchen actions). Higher score for each subtest indicates better language
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Boston Naming Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Boston Naming Test includes 30 items and evaluates language through measuring the total of correct responses. The minimum score is 0, and the maximum score is 30. Higher score indicates better language.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Fatigue Severity Scale score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Fatigue Severity Scale is a self-report questionnaire consisting of 9 items which are devised to evaluate the impact of fatigue on daily functioning, severity of fatigue. The minimum score is 9,and the maximum score is 63. Higher score indicate greater severity of fatigue and impact of fatigue on daily functioning.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of the Generalized Anxiety Disorde-7 score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Generalized Anxiety Disorde-7 is a self-report questionnaire with 7 items, that assesses the level of anxiety in the past two week. The minimum score is 0, and the maximum score is 21. Higher score indicates greater severity of anxiety.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Hamilton Depression Scale score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Hamilton Depression Scale is the most commonly used instrument for the assessment of depression in clinical practice. It includes 24 items and assesses the level of depression through measuring factors of Anxiety/Somatization, Weight, Cognitive Impairment, Diurnal Variation, Retardation, Sleep Disturbance, and Hopelessness. The total score range is 0 to 76. Higher total score indicates greater level of depression.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of the MOS Item Short From Health Survey subscores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
The MOS Item Short From Health Survey is a self-report instrument with 36 items, that assesses quality of life through measuring subscales of Physical Function, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional, and Mental Health. Higher subscores indicate better quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in clustering coefficient of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Clustering coefficient is the average of clustering coefficients across all nodes in a network. Higher value indicates greater density and complexity of the entire network.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in characteristic path length of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Characteristic path length the average of shortest path length (the minimum number of edges required to connect one node to another node) across any pair of nodes in the network. Lower value indicates higher speed of information transmission in the network.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in global efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Global efficiency is the mean of inverse of the shortest path length between all pairs of nodes in a network. Higher value reflects better functional integration of the network
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in local efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Local efficiency is the mean of the local efficiency across all nodes in whole network. Higher value suggests greater stability of a local network when the local network is interrupted.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in normalized clustering coefficient from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Normalized clustering coefficient is the ratio of culstring coefficient of network to the culstring coefficient of random network. Higher value indicates greater local modularization and specialization.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in normalized characteristic path length from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Normalized characteristic path length is the ratio of characteristic path length of network to characteristic path length of a random network. (the Lp of a random network). Higher value indicates lower global integration effeciency of network.
Measured: Baselien and 8 weeks
The change in small-worldness of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Small-worldness is the ratio of normalized clustering coefficient to normalized characteristic path length. Higher value indicates greater the balance between local specification and global integration of information transmission.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in degree centrality of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Degree centrality is the number of direct connections attached to a node. Higher value indicates greater the information transmission between a node and other network nodes.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Nodal efficiency is the average of the inverse of shortest path length between a given node and all other nodes. Higher value indicates greater efficiency of information transmission between a node and other nodes
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in betweenness centrality of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Betweenness centrality is the number of times a given node lies on one of the paths between all pairs of nodes in a network. Higher value represents greater influence of a node on the overall flow of information in the network.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in closeness centrality of brain network from baselien to the end of 8 weeks
Closeness centrality is the reciprocal of the sum of the shortest path lengths from that node to all other nodes. Higher value reflects greater closeness a node to all other nodes in a network
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal clustering coefficient of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Nodal clustering coefficient is the number of a node's neighbors (nodes directly connecting the node) that are also connected. Higher value indicates greater cliquishness of the subnetwork where the node is located.
Measured: Baseline and8 weeks
The change in nodal local efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Nodal local efficiency is inverse of shortest path length between all node pairs in the sub-network formed by a given node and its neighbors. Higher value represents greater between the efficiency of information transmission between the node and its neighbors.
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal shortest path length of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Nodal shortest path length is the average of the shortest path length from a single node to all other nodes in a network. Lower value indicates greater efficiency of information transmission of the node
Measured: Baseline and 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Jan 2026
- Study startMay 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Long CovidStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tingting Luo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Tingting Luo, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07355751
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025KL-086
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: In order to protect privacy of each participant, there is no plan to share IPD for this study.
Publications
Luo T, Luo Y, Liu D, Jin H, An Y, Huang J, Luo K, Guo Y, Wang D, Huang L, Wu X. Acupuncture for cognitive functions in post-COVID-19 condition: study protocol of a three-armed, randomized controlled trial with multimodal MRI. Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Apr 29;13:1796351. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1796351. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42136829
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment on Cognitive Functions and Brain Networks for Long COVID: a Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07355751
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025KL-086
- Conditions
- Long Covid
- Keywords
- Long COVID, cognitive function, acupuncture, neuropsychological test, brain network, magnetic resonance imaging, multimodal methods
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Tingting LuoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Verum Acupuncture group | Experimental | Other: AcupunctureAcupoints with acupuncture treatment |
| Sham acupuncture group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham acupunctureNon-acupoints with sham acupuncture treatment |
| Waitlist control group | No intervention | –Acupoints with acupuncture treatment after 8-week waiting period |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Age 18-60 years
- Fulfilling WHO criteria for long COVID
- History of confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab or antigen test of nasal swab ;
- Having subjective cognitive problems
- Native Chinese speakers
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- Preexisting cognitive symptoms before COVID-19
- Previous or current diagnosis of chronic conditions that may affect cognitive performances (such as neurological, psychiatric disorders, organ failure, chronic infectious diseases)
- Prior loss of consciousness
- History of major surgery within a year
- Long-term use of drugs that may influence cognition(such as tranquilizer, antidepressant, immunosuppressor)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| AcupunctureTwo 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 | Verum Acupuncture group |
| Sham acupunctureNonpenetrating 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. | Other | Sham acupuncture group |
Primary outcome
Change of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III total score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III is a cognitive screening tool, and the total score assess general cognitive function. The total score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher score indicates better general cognitive function
Change of Phonemic Fluency Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Phonemic fluency test measures the number of correct words produced under restricted search conditions of phonemic(letter F) . Higher score indicates better language.
27 secondary outcomes
Changes of Digit Span Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Symbol Digit Modality Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Trail Making Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Changes of Stroop Test scores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Category Fluency Test Score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Action Fluency Test Score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Boston Naming Test score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Fatigue Severity Scale score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of the Generalized Anxiety Disorde-7 score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of Hamilton Depression Scale score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change of the MOS Item Short From Health Survey subscores from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in clustering coefficient of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in characteristic path length of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in global efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in local efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in normalized clustering coefficient from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in normalized characteristic path length from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baselien and 8 weeks
The change in small-worldness of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in degree centrality of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in betweenness centrality of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in closeness centrality of brain network from baselien to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal clustering coefficient of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and8 weeks
The change in nodal local efficiency of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
The change in nodal shortest path length of brain network from baseline to the end of 8 weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Jan 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42136829Luo T, Luo Y, Liu D, Jin H, An Y, Huang J, Luo K, Guo Y, Wang D, Huang L, Wu X. Acupuncture for cognitive functions in post-COVID-19 condition: study protocol of a three-armed, randomized controlled trial with multimodal MRI. Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Apr 29;13:1796351. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1796351. eCollection 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. In order to protect privacy of each participant, there is no plan to share IPD for this study.
Related trials for Long Covid
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Phase I Open-Label Safety Trial of Pembrolizumab for Neurological Post- Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PD1-PASC I)
Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Immunotherapy for Neurological Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
Systemic Inflammation, Neuroinflammation
RecruitingPhase 2
DAOIB for the Treatment of Brain Fog
Long COVID
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Pain in Long COVID-19: The Role of Sleep
Long COVID
Recruiting
Effect of Hi-OxSR for the Treatment of Post COVID Condition
Long COVID, Post COVID-19 Condition
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Acupuncture in people with Long Covid, run by Tingting Luo at 2 sites in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tingting Luo (+86-18782007605, rose3719@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III total score from baseline to the end of 8 weeks (time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07355751, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Jan 2026.