Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Dysgeusia in Patients with Long COVID: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery · 2024 · Benefit · Moderate evidence

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BenefitModerate evidencePaper 6845

Study snapshot

PublicationPhotobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery · 2024

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate local and systemic photobiomodulation (PBM) in patients with COVID-19-related dysgeusia, with the expectation of improving taste dysfunction. Background: PBM has garnered attention as a potential therapy in long COVID, a condition characterized by many persistent symptoms following the acute phase of COVID-19. Among these symptoms, dysgeusia, or altered taste perception, can significantly affect patients' quality of life. Emerging research suggests that PBM may hold promise in ameliorating dysgeusia by modulating cellular processes and reducing inflammation. Further clinical studies and randomized controlled trials are essential to establish the efficacy and safety of PBM for the treatment of dysgeusia in long COVID, but initial evidence suggests that this noninvasive modality may offer a novel avenue for symptom management. Methods: Seventy patients experiencing dysgeusia were randomly assigned to receive active local and systemic PBM (n = 34) or simulated PBM (n = 36). Low-power laser (red wavelength) was used at 18 spots on the lateral borders of the tongue (3 J per spot), salivary glands (parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands-3 J per spot), and over the carotid artery for 10 min (60 J). Alongside laser therapy, all patients in both groups received weekly olfactory therapy for up to 8 weeks. Results: Dysgeusia improved in both groups. At weeks 7 and 8, improvement scores were significantly higher in the PBM group than in the sham group (p = 0.048). Conclusions: Combined local and systemic PBM, as applied in this study, proved effective and could serve as a viable treatment option for alleviating dysgeusia in long-COVID patients. Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-2mfbkkk.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typerandomized_trial

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPatients with long COVID-related dysgeusia

Sample size70

Exposureup to 8 weeks

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 95% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Seventy patients with COVID-19-related dysgeusia were randomized to active local and systemic photobiomodulation or simulated photobiomodulation, with both groups also receiving weekly olfactory therapy for up to 8 weeks. Dysgeusia improved in both groups, and at weeks 7 and 8 improvement scores were significantly higher in the active photobiomodulation group than in the sham group (p = 0.048).

Outcomes measured

Dysgeusia improvement scores
Taste dysfunction improvement

Limitations

Single-blind trial
Both groups received weekly olfactory therapy, which may complicate attribution of effects solely to photobiomodulation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "up to 8 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Patients with long COVID-related dysgeusia",
  "sample_size": 70,
  "outcomes": [
    "Dysgeusia improvement scores",
    "Taste dysfunction improvement"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Seventy patients with COVID-19-related dysgeusia were randomized to active local and systemic photobiomodulation or simulated photobiomodulation, with both groups also receiving weekly olfactory therapy for up to 8 weeks. Dysgeusia improved in both groups, and at weeks 7 and 8 improvement scores were significantly higher in the active photobiomodulation group than in the sham group (p = 0.048).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-blind trial",
    "Both groups received weekly olfactory therapy, which may complicate attribution of effects solely to photobiomodulation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "photobiomodulation",
    "long COVID",
    "dysgeusia",
    "randomized controlled trial",
    "laser therapy",
    "taste dysfunction",
    "olfactory therapy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1089/photob.2023.0148
PubMed: 38416635

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