Ultra-short-wave diathermy shortens the course of moderate and severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial

QuestionIs ultra-short-wave diathermy (USWD) safe and effective in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ? DesignSingle-centre, evaluator-blinded, two-arm, parallel design, randomized controlled clinical trial. ParticipantsModerate and severe COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory syndrome. InterventionUSWD for 10 minutes twice daily for 12 consecutive days along with standard medical treatment (USWD group, n = 25), versus standard medical treatment alone (control group, n = 25). Outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were the duration of recovery and negative conversion rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Secondary outcomes included clinical status (seven-category ordinal and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) scores), computed tomography (CT), routine blood tests, and adverse events. ResultsTime to clinical recovery (USWD 36.84{+/-}9.93 vs. control 43.56{+/-}12.15, P = 0.037) was significantly shortened with a between-group difference of 6.72 days. Clinical status was improved with significant between-group differences on day 28 (SIRS, P = 0.011; seven-category scale, P = 0.003). The rate of RNA negative conversion at days 7 (P = 0.066), 14 (P = 0.239), 21 (P = 0.269), and 28 (P = 0.490) was statistically insignificant. Moreover, insignificant differences were observed in the artificial intelligence-assisted CT analysis. No treatment-associated adverse events or worsening of pulmonary fibrosis were observed. ConclusionUSWD, as adjunctive therapy, shortened the recovery course and improved clinical status of patients with COVID-19 without aggravating pulmonary fibrosis. the findings are limited due to the small sample size and early termination. RegistrationChiCTR2000029972