COGNITIVE behavioural therapy (CBT) and a program of physical and mental rehabilitation may help improve symptoms of long covid, but the effects are modest, according to a review of the latest evidence published in the BMJ.
The international and Australian researchers said that other treatment options, including several medications, brain retraining, brain stimulation, hyperbaric oxygen and a mobile education app, currently lack evidence of effectiveness.
It is estimated that around 15% of people with COVID experience long-term health effects, including fatigue, muscle pain and impaired cognitive function.
For a patient group where trustworthy and up-to-date data on treatment options are lacking, the concern is that patients may receive unproven, costly, and ineffective or harmful treatments.
Researchers for the current review looked at 24 relevant trials involving around 3,700 patients.
The treatments that were investigated included drugs, physical activity or rehabilitation, behavioural interventions, dietary interventions, medical devices and technologies, and combinations of physical exercise and mental health rehabilitation.
Compared with usual care, they found that an online program of CBT probably reduces fatigue and improves concentration.
Meanwhile, an online, supervised combined physical and mental health rehabilitation program probably results in meaningful improvement or recovery, reduces symptoms of depression, and improves quality of life for many patients with long COVID.
Among the treatments with no compelling evidence were antidepressant vortioxetine, the antibody leronlimab, a combination of probiotics and prebiotics, and the antioxidant coenzyme Q10.
Read the study HERE. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Nov 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 29 Nov 24
