A pilot study conducted at Middlesex Health in the United States has demonstrated that acupuncture significantly improves symptoms associated with Long COVID, particularly anosmia (loss of smell), dysgeusia (altered taste), and cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”). The prospective cohort study enrolled twenty adults suffering from persistent symptoms following resolution of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. After six standardized acupuncture sessions administered over three weeks, participants experienced statistically significant improvements in smell, taste, and cognitive clarity [1].
The protocol involved a fixed set of nine acupoints applied consistently across all treatments: LI20 (Yingxiang), LI4 (Hegu), KD3 (Taixi), HT7 (Shenmen), DU20 (Baihui), and EX-HN3 (Yintang). LI20, LI4, KD3, and HT7 were needled bilaterally, while DU20 and Yintang were needled at the midline. Single-use sterile filiform needles were inserted to depths between 0.5 and 1.0 cun, depending on anatomical location and individual morphology. Needle gauge was 0.25 mm with a standard length of 25 mm. All insertions were performed perpendicularly, followed by manual manipulation (lifting, thrusting, and rotation) to elicit the deqi sensation. Retention time was 20 minutes per session, administered twice weekly over three weeks.
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The primary outcome measures were changes in olfactory function, gustatory function, and cognitive clarity. Olfactory function was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), while taste was evaluated with validated taste strip testing covering sweet, salty, sour, and bitter modalities. Cognitive clarity was measured using the PROMIS Cognitive Function Short Form. Across all three domains, results were statistically significant.
UPSIT scores increased significantly from baseline to post-treatment (p < 0.0001), indicating restoration of olfactory function. Improvements were noted as early as the third session. Taste test scores also improved significantly (p < 0.0001), with subjects regaining the ability to identify and differentiate basic tastes, including previously undetectable bitter and salty stimuli. PROMIS scores revealed improved cognitive function (p = 0.002), with participants reporting enhanced mental clarity and reduced subjective symptoms of brain fog.
The choice of acupoints in this study reflects both traditional channel theory and targeted neurological engagement. LI20 was selected for its proximity to the olfactory nerve and direct relevance to smell restoration. LI20 (Yingxiang), translated as “Welcome Fragrance,” is traditionally used to restore the sense of smell. It is a meeting point of the large intestine and stomach channels, both part of the yangming system. According to HealthCMi staff acupuncturists, its use aligns with Chinese medicine principles for benefiting olfaction, clearing the nasal passages, and resolving lingering pathogenic factors that remain dormant in the body.
LI4 and HT7 are known to influence autonomic regulation and cortical activity. KD3 was included to address post-viral deficiency patterns often seen in Chinese medicine differential diagnosis. DU20 and Yintang were applied to modulate frontal cortex activity and improve executive function.
While the study did not include neuroimaging or inflammatory cytokine markers, its sensory and cognitive outcomes are consistent with previous research showing that acupuncture can influence limbic system function, promote neurovascular remodeling, and regulate parasympathetic activity. The observed improvements in neurosensory function after only three weeks suggest that acupuncture may facilitate neuroplastic recovery in post-viral neurological impairment [1].
The study demonstrates that a time-limited acupuncture treatment can yield objective and subjectively meaningful improvements in patients with persistent symptoms following COVID-19. As Long COVID remains a challenge for many healthcare systems, acupuncture offers a safe, cost-effective therapy.
The authors of the study emphasize the need for larger, controlled trials to confirm these findings and to evaluate the durability of treatment effects over time. However, the measurable clinical improvements observed in olfaction, taste, and cognition provide a strong rationale for the inclusion of acupuncture in multidisciplinary treatment strategies for Long COVID.
Source:
1. Calandruccio, A., Pantalena, D., Molle, E., Drew, J., & Jansky, L. (2024). Acupuncture Effects on COVID-19 Long-Hauler Syndrome. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Integrative Medicine, 10 (1).
