CompletedNot Applicable

The Efficacy of Long-Chain Fatty Acids, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs), in Treating Long COVID Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Taiwan54 participantsStarted 2024-06-01

Plain-language summary

Researchers conducted a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of EPA or SPM treatments versus a placebo in managing Long COVID symptoms in adult patients. Researchers planned to enroll 240 eligible participants from various general and psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. The focus was on evaluating the therapeutic impact and potential side effects of administering 3 g/day of EPA or 1.67 mg/day of SPMs on symptoms of depression in these patients. This consolidated approach aims to provide comprehensive insights into the efficacy of EPA and SPM treatments in Long COVID cases, addressing crucial mental health aspects.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR, documented positive test, or clinician diagnosis * Meeting CDC criteria for Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID) as the presence of new, returning, or ongoing symptoms ≥4 weeks after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection * Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-21) score ≥18 at baseline * Stable antidepressant treatment for ≥4 weeks or no current antidepressant use; and * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current or past six-month diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, or other major psychiatric conditions based on ICD-10 or DSM-5 criteria * Significant neurological or medical comorbidities (eg, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, autoimmune disease, cancer), acute infections, or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities * Regular use of SPM or EPA supplementation \>0·5 g/day * Known allergy or intolerance to omega-3 fatty acids or SPMs; and * Requirement for inpatient psychiatric care due to acute suicide risk

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)

Timeframe: (week 0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07711444

SponsorNational Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-01

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