Ultra–short-wave diathermy shortens the course of moderate and severe COVID-19: a randomized trial
Abstract
Question
Is ultra-short-wave diathermy (USWD) safe and effective in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ?
Design
Single-centre, evaluator-blinded, two-arm, parallel design, randomized controlled clinical trial.
Participants
Moderate and severe COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory syndrome.
Intervention
USWD for 10 minutes twice daily for 12 consecutive days along with standard medical treatment (USWD group, n = 25), versus standard medical treatment alone (control group, n = 25).
Outcome measures
The primary outcomes were the duration of recovery and negative conversion rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Secondary outcomes included clinical status (seven-category ordinal and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) scores), computed tomography (CT), routine blood tests, and adverse events.
Results
Time to clinical recovery (USWD 36.84±9.93 vs. control 43.56±12.15, P = 0.037) was significantly shortened with a between-group difference of 6.72 days. Clinical status was improved with significant between-group differences on day 28 (SIRS, P = 0.011; seven-category scale, P = 0.003). The rate of RNA negative conversion at days 7 (P = 0.066), 14 (P = 0.239), 21 (P = 0.269), and 28 (P = 0.490) was statistically insignificant. Moreover, insignificant differences were observed in the artificial intelligence-assisted CT analysis. No treatment-associated adverse events or worsening of pulmonary fibrosis were observed.
Conclusion
USWD, as adjunctive therapy, shortened the recovery course and improved clinical status of patients with COVID-19 without aggravating pulmonary fibrosis. the findings are limited due to the small sample size and early termination.
Registration
ChiCTR2000029972
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