NCT07374562Recruiting
Stellate Ganglion Block for Long COVID Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block Treatment on Long COVID Symptoms: A Single-Blind, Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial (STAR-CO)
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 9 Feb 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
This single-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial evaluates whether a stellate ganglion block (SGB) using bupivacaine can improve persistent symptoms in adults with long COVID. Participants are assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either an ultrasound-guided right-sided SGB or a placebo saline injection delivered to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. After the intervention, participants are followed for 26 weeks with scheduled evaluations that include symptom questionnaires and functional tests. The study assesses changes in functional status, fatigue, cognitive complaints, quality of life, dyspnea, lower-limb endurance, and orthostatic tolerance over time. Safety is monitored throughout all follow-up visits. Approximately 40 participants meeting predefined eligibility criteria will be enrolled. This trial seeks to determine whether a single stellate ganglion block has an effect on persistent long-COVID symptoms compared with placebo.The results will help determine the therapeutic value of SGB in the management of long COVID and inform future research and clinical practice.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 40 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 21 Jan 2026
- Start date
- 5 Feb 2026
- Primary completion date
- Feb 2027
- Lead sponsor
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec
- Diseases
- Long COVID and ME/CFS
- NCT number
- NCT07374562
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 40
- From 5 Feb 2026 to the primary completion date, Feb 2027
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Prior diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or fibromyalgia
- Use of anticoagulant therapy.
- Previous stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure.
Other illness
- Being on sick leave or disability at the time of the original acute COVID-19 infection.
- Myocardial infarction within the last 12 weeks.
- Cardiac conduction abnormalities.
- Known hypersensitivity to bupivacaine.
- Any condition that, in the judgment of the medical investigator, makes the patient not a candidate for the proposed treatment.
Other
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Glaucoma.
- Emphysema requiring home oxygen.
Who the study is looking for
- Adults aged 18 years and older
- Positive COVID-19 test confirmed by RT-PCR, antibody test, or antigen test at least 3 months prior to randomization, OR presumed COVID-19 evaluated by the site investigator (no positive test required) with an acute illness occurring after October 15, 2019 and at least 3 months prior to randomization.
- Persistent symptoms ≥12 weeks after onset of acute COVID-19 AND symptoms lasting at least 2 months. The onset date is defined as the earliest of: date of first positive test, date of first symptoms
- Post-COVID Functional Status Scale score ≥2.
- Persistent dyspnea ≥2/4 on the mMRC scale at least 12 weeks post-infection.
- Persistent COVID-19-related symptoms at the time of randomization.
- If taking medications for fatigue or cognition (e.g., sildenafil, modafinil, armodafinil, guanfacine, N-acetylcysteine, stimulants for ADHD), these must have been initiated and stable for ≥4 weeks prior to randomization. Participants are asked not to stop or alter these medications during the study if possible.
- Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
- Able to read and understand French.
Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire régional Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Trois-Rivières | Canada | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.