Acupuncture for Olfactory Dysfunction in Infected COVID-19 Patients

Acupuncture for Olfactory Dysfunction in Infected COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Sham-controlled Clinical Trial

In this a 12-week, single blinded, randomized sham controlled, and cross-over clinical trial. It will be conducted to explore the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for olfactory dysfunction in infected COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong.

This is a single blinded, randomized sham controlled, and cross-over clinical trial. 40 Post COVID-19 patients presenting to olfactory dysfunction will be recruited. 40 patients will be randomly assigned into 2 groups, the acupuncture group (AC) and the sham acupuncture group (SAC) with 1:1 ratio, for 4-week treatment and 2-week follow-up. After the follow-up, the sham group will be conducted with real acupuncture for another 4 weeks and the real acupuncture group will be conducted with the 4-week sham acupuncture.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients who have been previously diagnosed to be infected with COVID-19 and are discharged from local hospitals with all the follows: 1) post COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction with moderate or severe grades (base on UPSIT-TC scores, the cutoff scores are set at 29.5 for male and 30.5 for female); 2) post COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction who did not undergo treatment; 3) no history of trauma, injury or surgery to head or nose or any bleeding from the nose; 4) aged 18 to 80 years who are able to read and write Chinese.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they have one or more of follows: 1) patients with olfactory or gustatory dysfunctions before the COVID-19 epidemic; 2) patients with history of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis; 3) history of nasal surgery (including rhino/septoplasty with or without functional endoscopic sinus surgery; 4) Pregnant or breastfeeding women.; 5) Medical history: cancers, conditions that affect the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease, and/or any other serious diseases; 6) Unstable medical conditions; 7) Patients who have received acupuncture treatment within one month, 8) Alcoholism or drug abuse in past 1 year; 9) Have needle phobia; 10) Have known history of developing acupuncture related severe adverse reaction.