Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and myofascialrelease therapy in reducing inflammation and enhancing functional capacity for patientswith coronavirus disease2019 (COVID-19).Design: This was a single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel-group interventionstudy.Participants: Forty five patients with covid 19 , aged 45-60 years (men and women),completed this study and were randomised into three groups: an intervention group(A) (n =15), Intervention group (B) (n=15) and an control group (C) (n = 15).Intervention:. The intervention group (A) received medical treatment, traditionalphysiotherapy, and low-level laser therapy; the intervention group (B) received medicaltreatment, traditional physiotherapy, and myofascial release techniques; and the controlgroup (C) received medical treatment and traditional physiotherapy only.Main Outcome Measures: Laboratory analysis encompassed a sample obtained from thepatient's peripheral vein or Central Venous line to evaluate (I) ferritin, (II) D-dimer,(III) CRP, (IV) Interleukin-6 and (V) white blood cell counts as primary outcomes.Functional capacity as assessed by the Six-minute walk test, dyspnoea as measured byvisual analogue scale, and dyspnoea perception as evaluated by the modified Borg scale,length of Intensive care unit stay, and oxygen saturation were the secondary outcomemeasures.
Forty five COVID 19 patients (24 men and 16 women) aged 45-60 years were recruited from
the ALqasr Aleiny Intensive Care Unit.All patients were informed of the study, risks, and
expected benefits before signing the informed consent form.The intervention group (A)
consisted of 15 patients (men and women) who received medical treatment, traditional
physiotherapy, and low-level laser therapy; the intervention group (B) consisted of 15
patients ( men and women) who received medical treatment and traditional physiotherapy
and myofascial release techniques; and the control group (C) consisted of 15 patients (
men and women ) who received medical treatment and traditional physiotherapy only.
The eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) Patients aged from 40 to 60 years old, (2)
Diagnosed by CT or PCR as positive COVID 19, (3) Moderate to severe cases of
COVID-19(According to CO-RADSScale).(4) on low flow rate oxygen supply Exclusion criteria
were (1) patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation, (2) Hemodynamically Unstable with
inotropic support; (3) Septic Shock; (4) ICU admission less than 24 h; (5) physician
termination of physiotherapy; and (6) fever with causes other than chest infection.
- (7) severe electrolyte imbalance, Acute Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) without
therapeutic anticoagulation for over 48 hours, (8) Unstable Atrial fibrillation
(A.F.), or Severe Tachycardia compared to baseline.
Radiation: Photobiomodulation
It was applied for upper respiratory tract over tonsils, trachea, and main bronchi
(bilaterally parasternal at the level of angle of Lewis)
Procedure: Myofascial release therapy
technique was applied from supine position, with both hands cupping both diaphragmatic
domes
Device: traditional chest physiotherapy
included traditional chest physiotherapy (postural drainage, percussion and shaking),
stretching exercise
Inclusion Criteria:
- The eligibility criteria were as follows:
- Patients aged from 40 to 60 years old.
- Diagnosed by CT or PCR as positive COVID 19.
- Moderate to severe cases of COVID-19(According to CO-RADSScale).
- On low flow rate oxygen supply
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation
- Hemodynamically Unstable with inotropic support
- Septic Shock
- ICU admission less than 24 h
- physician termination of physiotherapy;
- Fever with causes other than chest infection.
- Severe electrolyte imbalance
- Acute Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) without therapeutic anticoagulation for over 48
hours,
- Unstable Atrial fibrillation (A.F.), or Severe Tachycardia compared to baseline.
Faculty of Physical Therapy , Beni-Suef University
Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt
Mahmoud Ibrahim Mahmoud, Lecturer, Principal Investigator
Faculty of Physical Therapy - Beni-Suef University