Stellate Ganglion Block Helps Reduce Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 10, 2025 16 hours, 56 minutes ago
Medical News: Introduction to a New Treatment Approach
Millions of people worldwide are struggling with long-term symptoms after recovering from COVID-19, a condition often referred to as Long COVID. Many of these individuals experience a set of symptoms that closely resemble those of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a complex and disabling illness that affects the nervous system. Researchers from the WWAMI School of Medical Education at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Neuroversion Incorporated in Anchorage, Alaska-USA, have conducted a study exploring the use of stellate ganglion block (SGB) as a potential treatment for ME/CFS symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2.
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Stellate Ganglion Block Helps Reduce Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 Induced Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Understanding Stellate Ganglion Block
The stellate ganglion is a cluster of nerves in the neck that plays a key role in regulating the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. By injecting an anesthetic into this area, SGB temporarily blocks sympathetic nerve activity, which may help restore balance to the nervous system and alleviate symptoms linked to autonomic dysfunction.
This
Medical News report highlights the findings of a small but promising study that investigated whether SGB could help individuals suffering from ME/CFS symptoms following a COVID-19 infection.
The Study Design and Approach
The study included ten participants who met the WHO criteria for Long COVID and the Institute of Medicine criteria for ME/CFS. Each participant received a series of stellate ganglion block treatments over three weeks, with injections administered to both sides of the neck 18 to 24 hours apart each week. The effectiveness of the treatment was measured using subjective symptom assessments, objective cognitive and physiological tests, and monitoring of biological markers such as morning cortisol levels.
Participants were evaluated at the beginning of the study, two weeks after the last treatment, and again two months later. Researchers used standardized questionnaires like the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-2 (DSQ2) and the SF-36 Health Survey to measure fatigue, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Additionally, a wearable device tracked sleep patterns, and a 10-minute NASA Lean Test was used to assess orthostatic intolerance, a common symptom in ME/CFS patients.
Key Findings of the Study
The results of the study revealed several significant improvements among participants after undergoing SGB treatment:
-Improvement in Fatigue and Cognitive Function: Participants reported a reduction in post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairment, and orthostatic intolerance. SF-36 assessments showed noticeable increases in vitality, physical function, and social function.
-Resolution of POTS Symptoms: Three out of f
our participants who had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition where heart rate increases abnormally upon standing, no longer met the criteria for POTS after treatment.
-Cognitive Performance Enhancement: Tests assessing memory and attention showed significant improvement in most participants.
-No Significant Change in Sleep or Cortisol Levels: Despite reported improvements in sleep quality, objective sleep tracking and morning cortisol measurements did not show significant changes after treatment.
What This Means for ME/CFS and Long COVID Patients
While this study was small in scale, it provides encouraging evidence that stellate ganglion block could be an effective treatment option for those suffering from ME/CFS symptoms triggered by COVID-19. Many patients with ME/CFS have long suffered without an approved treatment, leaving them to manage their symptoms with limited options. If future large-scale studies confirm these findings, SGB could become a valuable tool in helping patients regain their quality of life.
Limitations and Future Research
Despite the promising results, there are limitations to consider. The small sample size means that more extensive studies are needed to confirm these findings. Additionally, there was no control group receiving a placebo treatment, making it difficult to rule out the placebo effect. Future research should include larger randomized controlled trials to further explore the long-term effectiveness and safety of SGB for ME/CFS patients.
Conclusion
The results of this pilot study suggest that stellate ganglion block may offer meaningful relief to individuals suffering from post-viral ME/CFS symptoms. By targeting the autonomic nervous system, SGB appears to improve fatigue, cognitive function, and orthostatic intolerance, making it a promising avenue for further research. Given the lack of FDA-approved treatments for ME/CFS, larger clinical trials are urgently needed to validate these findings and determine if SGB could become a mainstream treatment option for those living with this debilitating condition.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21641846.2025.2455876
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/university-of-wisconsin-study-uncovers-role-of-tetrahydrobiopterin-in-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
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