Сlinical Efficacy of Individually Dosed Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxic Therapy in Osteoarthritis Patients with Post-Covid Syndrome

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficiency of the individually dosed interval hypoxia-hyperoxic therapy in the medical rehabilitation ofpatients with osteoarthritis (OA), having post-COVID syndrome.Material and methods. 50 patients with OA (84% females, age of 43 to 68 years) where included in the randomized placebo-controlledstudy. Coronavirus infection COVID-19 were diagnosed from 12 to 26 weeks before the study. Patients had at least 6 symptoms ofpost-COVID syndrome. All patients were randomized into 3 groups. 18 patients of the study group received 10 hypoxia-hyperoxictherapy procedures, 15 comparison group patients – 10 placebo procedures, 14 control group patients – only standard rehabilitation.The study group patients were breathing hypoxic (FiO2 13–15%) and hyperoxic (FiO2 up to 40%) gas mixture through the mask in theinterval mode using device ReOxy. The duration of 1–4 procedures was 30 min, 5–10 procedures – 40 min. The placebo procedureswere performed using the mask with the atmospheric air hole. The standard rehabilitation program in all groups for 2 weeks included:10 group sessions of physical exercises with elements of breathing exercises, 10 procedures of magnetic therapy for joints, 10 sodiumchloride baths. Joint pain and general health on 100-mm visual analog scale, Lequesne and WOMAC indexes, Spielberger-Khaninreactive anxiety test, Beck depression inventory and breathlessness on Modified Borg scale were evaluated at baseline (control pointT0) and at 2 weeks (control point T1).Results and discussion. After 2 weeks (T1) in the study group, pain decreased by 51.4% (p < 0.01), Lequesne index – by 34.8%(p < 0.05), WOMAC – by 44.7% (p < 0.05), reactive anxiety level – by 23.7% (p < 0.05), depression symptoms – by 52.9% (p < 0.01),breathlessness – by 71.2% (p < 0.01), general health improved by 52.1% (р < 0.01). In the study group, there were statistically significantdifferences from the control group in all parameters (р < 0.05) and from the comparison group in most indicators (р < 0.05), excludingthe Lequesne index. These results are consistent with the data of modern studies of efficiency of hypoxic conditioning.Conclusion. 2-week rehabilitation program, including interval hypoxia-hyperoxic therapy, reduces pain, breathlessness, depression andreactive anxiety symptoms, improves general health and functional status in patients with OA, having post-COVID syndrome.

Keywords

• osteoarthritis
• post-covid syndrome
• rehabilitation
• hypoxia-hyperoxic therapy
• individually dosed intermittent hypoxia
• hypoxic conditioning