Key Finding
Kyungok-go significantly reduced fatigue severity in Long COVID patients over 12 weeks with a mean difference of -2.1 on the Fatigue Severity Scale and excellent safety profile with 97% adherence.
Researchers studied whether a traditional Korean herbal medicine called Kyungok-go could help people experiencing persistent fatigue after COVID-19. Long COVID affects many people who continue to have symptoms for three months or longer after their initial infection, with fatigue being one of the most common and debilitating problems.
This study followed 100 people who had been experiencing Long COVID fatigue for at least 12 weeks. Participants took Kyungok-go (22.5 grams twice daily) for 12 weeks while researchers tracked their symptoms. Ninety-four people completed the full study, showing good adherence to the treatment.
The results were encouraging. Participants experienced significant improvements in their fatigue levels across multiple measurement scales. They also reported better sleep quality, fewer depressive symptoms, and improved overall quality of life. Physical and cognitive function showed more modest improvements. Over 97% of participants took their medication as directed, and no serious side effects were reported, suggesting the herbal formula was safe and well-tolerated.
While these findings are promising, this study did not include a comparison group receiving placebo or standard care, which limits the strength of the conclusions. The researchers note that randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these benefits. For patients suffering from Long COVID fatigue, this study suggests that traditional herbal medicine approaches may offer relief when conventional treatments fall short.
If you're considering herbal medicine or acupuncture for Long COVID symptoms, consult with a qualified practitioner who is licensed and experienced in traditional East Asian medicine.
This prospective, multicenter, single-arm pilot study evaluated Kyungok-go (Qiong-Yu-Gao) for Long COVID-related fatigue. One hundred participants with fatigue persisting ≥12 weeks post-COVID-19 received 22.5g of Kyungok-go twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was change in Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores.
Ninety-four participants completed the study. FSS scores improved significantly (MD -2.1; 95% CI -2.4, -1.9). Secondary outcomes showed significant improvements: VAS fatigue (MD -35.6; 95% CI -39.7, -31.4), Chalder Fatigue Scale (MD -29.1; 95% CI -32.3, -25.9), sleep quality (MD -4.0; 95% CI -4.8, -3.2), and depressive symptoms (MD -8.1; 95% CI -9.6, -6.7). Cognitive and physical function changes were modest. Treatment adherence exceeded 97% with no serious adverse events.
Clinical Takeaway: Kyungok-go demonstrates feasibility and promising efficacy for Long COVID fatigue with excellent safety profile. Absence of control group limits causal inference; randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm therapeutic benefit.
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