ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ozone therapy in rehabilitation of patients with previous COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial included 51 patients aged 29 - 78 years with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (J12.8). Patients were divided into 3 comparable groups depending on the complex of rehabilitation. In the first (control) group (n=17), a 10-day course included daily breathing exercises and physiotherapy for the lungs (drug electrophoresis and low-frequency magnetotherapy). In the second (main) group (n=18), rehabilitation was combined with daily intravenous infusions of ozonized saline with ozone concentration of 2.0 mg/l within 5 days with subsequent standard rehabilitation. In the third group (n=16), patients received 5 ozone therapy procedures every other day. To determine the effectiveness and safety of systemic ozone therapy in rehabilitation of patients with previous COVID-19, we analyzed oxygen saturation, laboratory data (D-dimer and C-reactive protein), need for oxygen support before and after rehabilitation course. Complaints and quality of life throughout the rehabilitation program were assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire. RESULTS: All patients had positive changes of all parameters. There were no adverse reactions throughout the rehabilitation program and 2 months later. We observed higher effectiveness of rehabilitation with systemic ozone therapy. Moreover, daily ozone therapy had a better effect on laboratory parameters compared to ozone therapy every other day. CONCLUSION: Ozone therapy is safe and effective in complex rehabilitation of patients with previous COVID-19. Further studies of large samples are needed to determine indications and appropriate criteria for this rehabilitation program.