Effect of laser acupuncture on immunomodulation and dyspnea in post-COVID-19 patients

Introduction
The post-COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome as well as multi-organ complications. Its usual clinical symptoms are exhaustion, dyspnea, and chest pain. This study examines the effect of laser acupuncture (LA), which implies laser application on acupuncture points, on boosting immunity and reducing the inflammatory symptoms in post-COVID syndrome patients.

Material and methods
A total of 80 patients of both sexes with post-COVID symptoms were enrolled and randomly divided into the LA group (n = 40), which received LA three times/week for 12 weeks, and a placebo group (n = 40) which received sham LA. The following measures were taken for both groups before and after the study: Total lymphocyte count (TLC), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), dyspnea using the modified Medical Research Counseling Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), and fatigue using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11).

Results
LA group showed a significant elevation in TLC (p < 0.001) as well as a significant reduction in IL-6 levels, dyspnea, and fatigue scale (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the placebo group demonstrated a significant increase in TLC (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The use of lasers at particular acupuncture points related to lung and immunity showed promising results in dealing with the typical main symptoms post-COVID, including chronic fatigue and dyspnea.