Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Fatigue is a common problem following the acute phase of COVID-19. Potential interventions to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life are appropriate. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effect of auriculotherapy on persistent fatigue in recovered patients from acute phase COVID-19. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2022 in Kashan, Iran on 52 recovered patients reporting persistent fatigue following acute phase COVID-19. A convenience sample was selected and randomly assigned to sham and intervention groups. The intervention group received four weeks of auriculotherapy with Vaccaria seeds attached to six fatigue-related auriculotherapy points on both ears. In the sham group, adhesive tapes were attached to the same points. Fatigue was assessed by the Chalder Fatigue Scale before (T0), after (T1), and four weeks after (T2) the intervention. Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were used. Results: The two groups differed on financial status and hospitalization history (p < 0.05). The time-group interaction effect was significant for fatigue after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.0001). Fatigue scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than the sham group at T1 and T2 (p < 0.0001). In addition, fatigue scores in the intervention group decreased significantly over time, while in the sham group, fatigue first decreased briefly and then increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This initial trial suggested that auriculotherapy may reduce intensity of fatigue and therefore could potentially be integrated into rehabilitation programs for patients with prolonged COVID-19. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20100211003329N9.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call