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Cervical sympathetic block to treat Long COVID: a scoping review
Anna Maria Bombardieri1, Claudia Florez Denoue2
1Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA abomba@stanford.edu.
Background:
Long COVID is a complex and poorly understood condition characterized by persistent symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction, fatigue, neurocognitive impairment, and olfactory disturbances. Current treatments offer limited and inconsistent benefits. Dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system is increasingly recognized as a contributor to Long COVID pathophysiology. Cervical sympathetic block (CSB), a procedure that modulates sympathetic tone, has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach.
Objective:
To review the existing literature on CSB, for Long COVID, focusing on symptom outcomes, proposed mechanisms, and procedural considerations.
Evidence Review:
A structured literature search across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies published between 2022 and March 2025 reporting on CSB in adults with Long COVID. Eligible articles included case reports, case series, observational studies, and one randomized controlled trial evaluating symptom outcomes after the procedure.
Findings:
Sixteen studies involving 224 patients were included. Most reported improvement in fatigue, brain fog, and autonomic symptoms, including reduced heart rate and enhanced orthostatic tolerance. Cognitive and psychiatric symptoms such as memory impairment, anxiety, and depression showed variable improvement. Olfactory recovery was inconsistent and appeared to depend on symptom severity. Symptom relief was observed after both unilateral and bilateral blocks, with some responses lasting up to 1 year. No serious complications were reported.
Conclusions:
CSB may offer symptom relief in Long COVID, particularly for fatigue, brain fog, and dysautonomia. However, the evidence remains preliminary and limited by small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity. Controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy and patient selection criteria.
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