Long COVID Ultrasound Trial

Ultrasound is widely used in human medicine because it is safe, non-invasive, and painless. The same kind of ultrasound that is used for imaging (for example, to visualize babies in utero) may be able to treat inflammatory diseases including Long COVID.

In Long COVID, there can be a state of hyperinflammation that persists in those with symptoms months to years after infection. This hyperinflammatory state includes elevated proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon β (IFN-β), IFN-λ1, IFN-γ, CXCL9, CXCL10, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1β , and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) in those with Long COVID. Prolonged inflammation in those with Long COVID plays a key role in its pathogenesis and in driving the persistent symptoms.

This study will employ investigational ultrasound devices produced by SecondWave Systems called the MINI ultrasound system.

This is a pilot single-arm intervention study in which up to 15 study participants will receive noninvasive splenic ultrasound therapy over eight weeks (five daily stimulation sessions per week). Participants will be enrolled in the study for a total of 12 weeks starting at Week 0. They will undergo a 4-week Baseline Period during which no intervention is delivered to determine how study outcomes may change over time. Then, after baseline outcomes are measured at Week 4, the investigational ultrasound interventional period will begin. Outcomes will be compared from baseline at Week 4 through the end of the 8-week intervention period at Week 12. Investigational splenic-ultrasound therapy will be delivered with the SecondWave MINI ultrasound system. The objective of the study is to assess the safety and potential efficacy of spleen ultrasound stimulation as an intervention for Long COVID in a pilot study.

For ultrasound stimulation, a small wearable ultrasound device is positioned on the upper left abdomen area over the ribs. Study personnel will use an ultrasound imaging device to locate the spleen and to position the wearable MINI device in a proper location around the ribs area. Daily stimulation consists of an approximately 18-minute period for application of ultrasound to the spleen. Collection of long-COVID outcome data, patient-reported assessments, and blood draws collected at the 6 study visits to assess biomarkers of inflammation will be performed in each participant throughout the study. Stool samples will be collected at 4 timepoints to assess changes in microbiome and metabolomics over the study period. Movement activity and sleep monitoring will be collected throughout the day and correlated with other study outcomes.

The study's primary outcome measure is the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) and the secondary outcome measure is the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ-11). We will also investigate exploratory outcomes that will include other activity outcomes (e.g., total movement per day, sleep patterns), vital signs (e.g. heart rate and blood pressure), biomarker assessments (e.g., CRP, ESR, cortisol), cytokine assessments, microbiome and metabolomic related assessments, and device usability and experience assessments.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-65 years at the time of enrollment
• Prior diagnosis of COVID-19 by report, PCR, or home kit
• Symptoms present for 12 or more weeks that are independent prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection including fatigue and one or more of:

• Myalgia or general aches/pains
• Joint pain
• Dizziness/lightheadedness
• Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog)

Exclusion criteria

• Candidate who is unable or unwilling to postpone taking new medications used for treating Long COVID during the study period
• Candidate that is currently taking immune modifying medications and unable to maintain stable levels of their immune medication regimen throughout the study period
• History of intubation secondary to COVID-19
• ICU admission for COVID-19
• Pre-existing Lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), or severe asthma
• Pregnant
• History of coronary artery disease (CAD)
• History of stroke
• History of severe anemia of hemoglobin less than 8 g/dl
• Prior history of Lyme disease
• Prior history cognitive impairment
• Any non-marijuana drug abuse history within 30 days
• Current use of an investigational drug
• History of prior myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
• History of alcohol abuse: greater than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink for females
• Prior history of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
• Chronic fatigue secondary to any condition other than COVID-19.
• Fibromyalgia
• History of prior chronic pain
• History of chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis
• History of splenic pathology such as spleen infarct/splenomegaly
• History of splenectomy
• History of Sickle disease with splenic pathology
• Taking non-approved treatments for Long COVID
• Participant does not speak English
• Participant is an active member of the military (service member) or DoD personnel (including civilian employees)
• Any other clinical reasons deemed by the investigators of the study in which the patient would not be an appropriate candidate for the study