ABSTRACT
Introduction Post-pandemic syndrome has lasting functional and psychological consequences, especially for the elderly. This timeline requires a quick search for procedures that will enable us to implement safe and non-invasive therapeutic instruments as prophylactic or adjuvant therapies for post-COVID-19 consequences. Photobiomodulation (PBM) may decrease inflammation and improve leg circulation. So, this study aims to assess the impact of PBM on post-COVID-19 functional capacity and fatigability. Material and methods Two groups of 100 elders with a positive COVID-19 history were established. The PBM group got photobiomodulation on both lower calf muscles for four weeks (diode laser, Continuous output, stationary in skin contact mode, 100mW, 808 nm, beam spot area of 0.0314 cm2, 127.39 J/cm2/point, 40 s). The control group got placebo PBM for four weeks. Both groups' exhaustion was measured using the FSS. Functional ability was evaluated using the KATZ score before and after the trial. Results After four weeks of PBM, there was a substantial suppression in the FSS level from 4.57 ± 0.26 to 3.97 ± 0.23 and the KATZ score was significantly elevated from 2.98 ± 0.79 to 3.94 ± 0.77, P value for both was < 0.05. In addition, the placebo intervention improved the FSS level and KATZ score to an acceptable level. Conclusions PBM enhanced functional capacities as evaluated by the KATZ score and fatigability perception as measured by the FSS scale in post-COVID-19 older people. Also, placebo intervention had a considerable effect on the elderly, with an 8.1 percent improvement in fatigue perception and a 19.1 percent improvement in functional ability evaluation.
ABSTRACT
It is postulated that the inflammatory process resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection is the main cause of smell and taste dysfunctions in patients. In view of this, photobiomodulation, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, may be a promising therapeutic modality to treat these disorders. In the present case report, we observed clinical improvement in the symptoms of anosmia and ageusia related to COVID-19 after treatment with photobiomodulation. Due to the inflammatory nature of COVID-19 and the anti-inflammatory effects, photobiomodulation antioxidants already proven in the literature make it a promising therapeutic modality, especially sequela COVID-related, including olfactory (anosmia) and taste (ageusia) dysfunction. In the present case report, the patient's olfactory and gustatory functions were re-established after 10 treatment sessions with photobiomodulation.
Subject(s)
Ageusia , COVID-19 , Low-Level Light Therapy , Olfaction Disorders , Ageusia/etiology , Anosmia , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/radiotherapy , Humans , Olfaction Disorders/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , Smell , Taste Disorders/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Among the most common symptoms of COVID-19 is taste dysfunction, which has a ranging clinical presentation. As well as its pathophysiology remains to be unclear, there is not enough information about the efficacy and safety of the available treatments. This study aims to report a series of cases using PBMT for the management of COVID-19-related taste impairment. CASE SERIES: 8 female and 2 male patients sought medical help for taste impairment (either partially or completely) after COVID-19 infection. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the tongue mucosa was then proposed but with 3 different protocols. Taste perception at baseline and before every laser session was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, taste recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSION: given the high prevalence rates of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and the lack of information about the available treatments, PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality but not dependent on the total number of laser sessions and the interval between them. The choice of the most suitable laser protocol as well as the knowledge of the exact photonic mechanisms, however, need to be better studied.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Low-Level Light Therapy , Photochemotherapy , Female , Humans , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Male , Photochemotherapy/methods , SARS-CoV-2 , Taste Disorders/etiologyABSTRACT
Olfactory dysfunction is commonly seen in COVID-19 patients; however, little is known about the pathophysiology and management. The present study aimed to report a series of cases in which three protocols of intranasal photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) were used for COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Irrespective of the PBMT protocol, olfaction recovery was noted in all cases but with varying degrees of improvement. Although intranasal PBMT seems to be a promising therapeutic modality, more research is needed to better define effectiveness.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Low-Level Light Therapy , Olfaction Disorders , Photochemotherapy , Humans , Olfaction Disorders/drug therapy , Olfaction Disorders/therapy , Photochemotherapy/methods , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2 , SmellABSTRACT
COVID-19 is now a worldwide concern, causing an unprecedented pandemic. The infected cases show different symptoms based on the severity of the disease. In asymptomatic and non-severe symptomatic cases, the host immune system can successfully eliminate the virus and its effects. In severe cases, however, immune system impairment causes cytokine release syndrome which eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promising results in reducing acute pulmonary inflammation. Considering the high potential impact of PBM on immune responses, we hypothesized that using PBM could be an effective treatment modality for ARDS management in COVID-19 patients.