Examining the Function of Cs4 on Post-COVID-19 Disorders

Cordyceps is a medicinal Chinese medicine. The benefits of cordyceps-related therapeutic action have been studied due to its anti-inflammation and immunomodulation features. Thus, Cordyceps may have efficacy against inflammation-related health problems in the post-COVID era. the Cs4 is a Chinese medicine nutritional supplement fermented by Cordyceps. This Project conducts a two-stage waitlist-controlled trial to examine the therapeutic effect of the Cs4 on long-COVID patients. 110 Patients will be recruited and divided into two groups. Each group contains 55 patients. In the first-stage clinical trial for 12 weeks, group A will have no treatment while group B will have Cs4 treatment. In the second-stage clinical trial for 12 weeks, group A will have Cs4 treatment while group B will have no treatment. A 12-week follow-up will be conducted after the intervention of Cs4. The primary outcome will be the self-declared modified COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRSm). In our study, we intend to analyse the efficacy of Cs4 on the improvement of long Covid symptoms by using a comprehensive measurement to cover most symptoms, and be condition-specific. The secondary outcomes will include the self-declared validated Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) Scale, five health condition surveys and blood tests assessed at baseline, end of the intervention and the end of follow-up. Health condition surveys include the score of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Brief Fatigue Inventory Form, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Short Form 12 (SF12). A certain number of items are measured by scoring on each of these scales. There will be a total score for each scale. The anticipated outcome of the study is to provide evidence of Cs4 in the improvement of long COVID symptoms. This project can serve to the development of a nutritional supplement for the management of post-COVID-related health problems.