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Can blood filtering beat long COVID fatigue?
NCT ID NCT05954325
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested a blood filtering procedure called immunoadsorption to see if it reduces fatigue in people with post-COVID syndrome. 63 patients received either the real procedure or a sham version over 14 days. The goal was to measure changes in fatigue and other symptoms like brain fog and post-exertional malaise.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Immunoadsorption (blood filtering procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a treatment for chronic fatigue in post-COVID syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no phase. The sham control means the real effect may be small or absent. Risks include discomfort or complications from the procedure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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63 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2023
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-75 years 2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) according to Canadian Consensus Criteria (at two time points \> 4 weeks apart) with a duration of \> 6 months with new onset \< 12 weeks after PCR test confirmed SARS-CoV2-infection 3. Chalder Fatigue Scale \>/= 4 binary scale (at two time points \> 4 weeks apart) 4. Post exertional malaise \>/= 14 h (at two time points \> 4 weeks apart) 5. Bell Scale 20-50 (at two time points \> 4 weeks apart) 6. Willing to comply with all aspects of the protocol, including blood draws, magnetic resonance imaging and ophthalmological evaluation 7. Patient is able to understand and fully participate in the activities of the study and consent in accordance with guidelines 8. Female patients of childbearing potential who are sexually active must be willing to use an acceptable form of contraception. Female patients must not be pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or be actively breastfeeding through the entire period. Exclusion citeria: 1. Chronic fatigue due to other medical or psychological condition 2. Preexisting chronic fatigue prior to COVID infection 3. Oxygen requirement or ventilation during acute phase of COVID 4. Positive SARS-CoV-2-PCR test at the beginning of the study 5. Comorbidity bearing risk that patient might not tolerate treatment as judged by investigator including among others: malignant disease within the last 5 years, moderate to severe renal impairment (eGFR \<60 ml/min), cardiac insufficiency (LVEF \<40%), severe coronary heart disease, severe hypercoagulability 6. Acute or severe psychiatric disease 7. Active/acute infectious diseases like CMV, EBV, HBV, HCV, HIV, TBC 8. Patients who in the investigator's opinion might not be suitable for study (difficult peripheral venous access, not able to complete questionnaires e.g. due to language problems) 9. Taking immunosuppressive medication \>3 weeks within 12 months before study inclusion 10. Any apheresis therapy before study inclusion 11. Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging 12. Patients revealing abnormal brain structures visible in MR images 13. Patients with pre-existing ophthalmological condition or diabetes mellitus
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hannover Medical School
Hanover, Lower Saxony, 30625, Germany
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