Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Language

English

Publication Date

8-19-2024

Journal

Psychopharmacology Bulletin

DOI

10.64719/pb.4500

PMID

39263197

PMCID

PMC11385263

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

8-19-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Purpose: Pilot study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of stellate ganglion blocks in the treatment of symptoms related to long COVID infection.

Materials and methods: A total of 17 patients who underwent stellate ganglion block for the treatment of their long COVID symptoms were included. COMPASS-31, GAD-7, PCL-5, and Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) pre and post intervention surveys and data on baseline heartrate and post- block heart rate recorded in the EMR.

Results: A total of 94% of patients reported moderate-to-severe autonomic dysfunction pre-procedure as measured by COMPASS-31. All patients reported some degree of symptomatic improvement from the block. Specifically, patients had significantly lower FSS scores (P = 0.002) and heart rate post-procedure (P = 0.008). Although the decrease in PCL-5 scores after the procedure was clinically meaningful, this change was not statistically significant (P = 0.159). No significant difference was found in pre and post procedure GAD-7 scores (P = 0.101).

Conclusions: Stellate ganglion block is a safe, low-risk, minimally invasive, and effective procedure in the treatment of symptoms for long COVID. It should be evaluated as an adjunctive treatment of select patients in this population.

Keywords

Humans, Pilot Projects, Male, Female, Stellate Ganglion, Autonomic Nerve Block, COVID-19, Middle Aged, Aged, Adult, Treatment Outcome, Severity of Illness Index, Heart Rate, stellate ganglion, long COVID, block

Published Open-Access

yes

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