NCT07418567Completed

A Fasting Pilot Study for Long COVID

A Prospective Pilot Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of Prolonged Fasting for the Treatment of Long COVID Patients

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 18 Feb 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Background Long COVID (LC) is a chronic multisystemic condition which substantially impact the quality of life. Despite the staggering burden of LC, there is still no effective treatment. Because fasting promotes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, which are involved in the pathophysiology of LC, we hypothesized that it might improve daily functioning and health-related quality of life in patients with LC. The aim of this single center, one arm, prospective pilot clinical trial will be to assess the feasibility and acceptability of prolonged fasting for LC. The main questions aims to answers are; 1. Does in-home prolonged fasting (7 days) is feasible and acceptable for patients with LC 2. Is there a clinical benefit associated with fasting is LC patients Participants (adults 18 year and older) will be asked to 1. Fast for 7 days 2. Have in-person visit at baseline (day 0) and at day 9 for checkups and tests 3. Answer difference questionnnaires about their perceived health during and after fasting

Status (registry): Completed
Study type: Interventional
Enrollment: 25 (actual)
First submitted: 10 Feb 2026
Start date: 1 May 2025
Primary completion date: 1 Nov 2025
Lead sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke
Diseases: Long COVID and ME/CFS
NCT number: NCT07418567

What you commit to

Study type: Interventional
Participants enrolled: 25
From 1 May 2025 to the primary completion date, 1 Nov 2025
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

Use of anti-psychotic drugs

Other illness

Current underweight condition (body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2) or weight loss exceeding 3 kg within the last month or 5 kg within the last three months.
Current or history of eating disorder (e.g., anorexia, bulimia).
Psychiatric condition that limits understanding of the examination protocol (unable to consent)
Diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease or colorectal cancer according to the guidelines of the Canadian Society of Gastroenterology
Start of novel drug therapy for long COVID
Opioid dependence or withdrawal syndrome
Type 1 or 2 Diabetes, or history of hypoglycemia
Active cancer

Lab values

Contraindication for additional blood draws (e.g. hemoglobin \<100)
Baseline ALT \< 60
Baseline INR within normal range

Other

Participation in another intervention study.
Fasting during the last six months
Pregnancy or breastfeeding status.
Taking opioid analgesics or undergoing treatment for opioid addiction
Baseline E+ (Na, K, Mg, phosphate) within normal range
Baseline Hb \> 100
Baseline DFG \< 50

Who the study is looking for

Age 18-64 years
Diagnosis Long Covid based on WHO criteria (post-acute COVID-19 symptoms persisting ≥12 weeks) and validiated by an experienced cinician
Normal body Mass Index (18.5 to 39 kg/m2)
Able to communicate in and comprehend English and/or French language
Present written / signed declaration of consent
Ability to understand the patient information and willingness to sign the consent form
Willing to limit physical activity during prolonged fasting

Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

Site	City	Country	Site status
Centre de recherche du CIUSSSE-CHUS Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status	Sherbrooke	Canada	Unknown status

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.