Transcranial direct current electrical stimulation in combination with aerobic exercise is effective in reducing fatigue and pain in post-COVID-19 systemic autoimmune rheumatic patients

Abstract

Objectives: Currently, no studies have assessed the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to treat fatigue and pain associated with or potentiated by post-COVID-19 syndrome in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Methods: This study included nine patients with different types of SARDs. All patients had previously confirmed RT-PCR test for COVID-19 as well as significant, persistent fatigue and pain that began to worsen after infection. Anodal tDCS was administered in five daily sessions (2mA, 20 minutes) over the C3 or C4 10/20 EEG positions, with the cathode placed at Fp1 or Fp2. Concomitantly, patients were involved in an aerobic exercise program by treadmill walking. All participants were evaluated using specific questionnaires and strength assessment by handgrip and physical function by timed-up-and go test and sit-to-stand test at baseline (within one week before tDCS protocol), and one week after tDCS protocol. During all procedures, the patients’ treatments remained unchanged. Results: The sample was composed of eight women and one man with a mean age of 48.7±9.6. After the tDCS protocol, the pain and fatigue significantly improved by a visual analog scale (P<0.05). The physical function also improved 9.5±2.7 vs. 6.8±0.8 (P=0.001) for timed-up-go-test and 10.3±3.7 vs. 15.1±4.0 (P=0.037) for sit-to-stand test. No subject experienced adverse events. One-hundred percent of patients adhered to all protocols. Conclusions: The present study showed tDCS in combination with aerobic exercise was effective in improving the physical function, and reducing fatigue/pain in SARDs patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.Clinical Trials: NCT04890483.

Efecto del ejercicio aeróbico sobre la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en pacientes sobrevivientes de covid-19: metaanálisis

“…Este resultado indica beneficios del ejercicio en la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en sobrevivientes de la enfermedad COVID-19. El componente presente en todas las intervenciones fue el aeróbico (tabla 2), pero solo dos estudios(Ahmed et al, 2021;Missé et al, 2021) lo aplicaron exclusivamente, mientras que los otros siete combinaron el componente aeróbico y de fuerza en sus intervenciones, además de incluir trabajos de flexibilidad entre otros aspectos.PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO. Artículo descargado de www.revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/pem/ para uso personal únicamente.…”