The effectiveness of the inclusion of ozone therapy in comprehensive rehabilitation programs for post-COVID syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The global scale of the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection is determined by the involvement of the entire world population in the problem. Recently, the scientific and medical community has been paying increased attention to the consequences of COVID-19, including aspects of the rehabilitation of patients who have had this infection. AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of including ozone therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with long COVID. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 51 patients aged 29 to 78 years with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 (J12.8). Patients were divided into three statistically comparable groups depending on the complex of rehabilitation treatment, which they received. In the first (control) group (n=17), a 10-day course included daily breathing exercises and physiotherapy for the lungs. In the second (main) group (n=18), in addition to the complex of basic measures, daily intravenous infusions of ozonized saline with an ozone concentration of 2.0 mg/l were performed daily. Patients in the third group (comparison, n=16) received ozone therapy every other day. In order to determine the effectiveness and safety of the inclusion of systemic ozone therapy in a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19, an analysis of blood oxygen saturation in air, laboratory parameters (D-dimer and C-reactive protein), changes in peripheral blood flow, a decrease in patients' oxygen demand to and after a 10-day course of rehabilitation treatment. The dynamics of patients' complaints and changes in the patient's quality of life during rehabilitation were assessed using the EQ5D questionnaire. RESULTS: All patients during rehabilitation had positive dynamics in all parameters, there were no adverse reactions during the course and 2 months after rehabilitation. An analysis of various indicators revealed a greater effectiveness in prescribing systemic ozone therapy for rehabilitation. When comparing different methods, it turned out that daily ozone therapy had a better effect on laboratory parameters than daily ozone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ozone therapy in the complex rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19 is safe and effective. Further study in more patients is needed to determine indications and criteria for use.