Objective:Non-pharmacological treatments of traditional medical systems are becoming recognized in management of respiratory diseases,especially COVID-19.This study was designed to evaluate the effec-tiveness of acupu...Objective:Non-pharmacological treatments of traditional medical systems are becoming recognized in management of respiratory diseases,especially COVID-19.This study was designed to evaluate the effec-tiveness of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Methods:This randomized controlled trial was performed on 70 moderate to severe hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Patients were randomized into two groups,receiving conventional treatment alone or in combination with acupuncture for 7 days.Both groups were followed up for 28 days.Respiratory rate and SpO_(2)were considered as primary outcomes.Additionally,respiratory symptoms(cough,dyspnea,chest tightness,and oxygen demand)and duration of hospitalization,ICU admission,intubation,and mortality rate were evaluated.The outcome assessor and data analyst were blinded.Results:Acupuncture significantly improved respiratory rate and SpO_(2)after 3 days(v.s.7 days in con-trol group).SpO_(2)reached 93%from the third day of conducting acupuncture.Respiratory symptoms were relieved after 7 days in the both groups,but were significant from day 3 in the acupuncture group(P<0.001).Duration of hospitalization was less in the acupuncture group(3 days v.s.11 days),with no ICU admission,intubation or death.In contrast,8 patients in the control group were admitted to ICU,of whom 4 were intubated and died.No adverse effect was reported.Conclusion:Acupuncture can play a significant role as a safe and effective complementary treatment in the management of COVID-19.展开更多
文摘Objective:Non-pharmacological treatments of traditional medical systems are becoming recognized in management of respiratory diseases,especially COVID-19.This study was designed to evaluate the effec-tiveness of acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Methods:This randomized controlled trial was performed on 70 moderate to severe hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Patients were randomized into two groups,receiving conventional treatment alone or in combination with acupuncture for 7 days.Both groups were followed up for 28 days.Respiratory rate and SpO_(2)were considered as primary outcomes.Additionally,respiratory symptoms(cough,dyspnea,chest tightness,and oxygen demand)and duration of hospitalization,ICU admission,intubation,and mortality rate were evaluated.The outcome assessor and data analyst were blinded.Results:Acupuncture significantly improved respiratory rate and SpO_(2)after 3 days(v.s.7 days in con-trol group).SpO_(2)reached 93%from the third day of conducting acupuncture.Respiratory symptoms were relieved after 7 days in the both groups,but were significant from day 3 in the acupuncture group(P<0.001).Duration of hospitalization was less in the acupuncture group(3 days v.s.11 days),with no ICU admission,intubation or death.In contrast,8 patients in the control group were admitted to ICU,of whom 4 were intubated and died.No adverse effect was reported.Conclusion:Acupuncture can play a significant role as a safe and effective complementary treatment in the management of COVID-19.
