Low-frequency magnetotherapy with a running magnetic field of the POLYMAG-02M apparatus in the rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus with high morbidity and mortality, especially among the elderly and those with concomitant factors such as diabetes mellitus, chronic lung and heart disease. For patients who have undergone coronavirus pneumonia, given the severity of the disease, rehabilitation measures are needed to restore the consequences of the disease.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of low-frequency magnetic therapy with a running magnetic field in the complex of rehabilitation treatment of patients who have undergone pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) at the stage of convalescence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Examination and treatment of 42 patients (24 men and 18 women) aged 40 to 65 years, who had community-acquired pneumonia (J16.8) caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), were carried out. The first (main) group of patients included 22 people who underwent physical therapy, aeroinotherapy, low-frequency oscillatory massage of the chest in an electrostatic field, intravenous laser blood irradiation, high-frequency oscillation of the chest and carbon dioxide baths. Against this background, starting from the 20th day after discharge from the hospital, this group of patients received low-frequency, low-intensity magnetotherapy from the POLIMAG-02M apparatus. The second (control group) included 20 patients who received the same treatment, except for magnetotherapy from the POLIMAG-02M apparatus.

RESULTS: The course of rehabilitation treatment led to an increase in the functional capabilities of the cardio-respiratory system in patients of both groups, an increase in chest excursions, an increase in the vital capacity of the lungs, the normalization of the act of breathing and ventilation of the lungs, and an improvement in the psychosomatic status of patients. In the main group, these changes are more pronounced than in the control group, which is associated with the inclusion of low-frequency magnetotherapy with a running magnetic field in the complex treatment.

CONCLUSION: The use of low-frequency magnetic therapy with a running pulsed magnetic field in the complex of rehabilitation measures for patients who have undergone pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 virus significantly improves the somatic status of patients, increases exercise tolerance, and optimizes the function of external respiration. The data obtained make it possible to recommend the inclusion of the factor in clinical guidelines for the rehabilitation of patients who have undergone COVID-19.