Acupuncture as adjuvant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial

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 effectiveness 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 SpO₂ 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 SpO₂ after 3 days (v.s. 7 days in control group). SpO₂ 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.

Trial registraion: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials

IRCT20201 127049504N1.