Efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for the treatment of viral pneumonia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Xiao Li1, Wen Li1, Lianjie Sun2
1Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Yishan Road 600, Shanghai, 200233, China.
Background:
Viral pneumonia has always been a problem faced by clinicians because of its insidious onset, strong infectivity, and lack of effective drugs. Patients with advanced age or underlying diseases may experience more severe symptoms and are prone to severe ventilation dysfunction. Reducing pulmonary inflammation and improving clinical symptoms is the focus of current treatment. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can mitigate inflammation and inhibit edema formation. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of therapeutic LIPUS in improving lung inflammation in hospitalized patients with viral pneumonia.
Methods:
Sixty eligible participants with clinically confirmed viral pneumonia will be assigned to either (1) intervention group (LIPUS stimulus), (2) control group (null stimulus), or (3) self-control group (LIPUS stimulated areas versus non-stimulated areas). The primary outcome will be the difference in the extent of absorption and dissipation of lung inflammation on computed tomography. Secondary outcomes include changes in lung inflammation on ultrasonography images, pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, fingertip arterial oxygen saturation, serum inflammatory factor levels, the sputum excretion volume, time to the disappearance of pulmonary rales, pneumonia status score, and course of pneumonia. Adverse events will be recorded.
Discussion:
This study is the first clinical study of the efficacy of therapeutic LIPUS in the treatment of viral pneumonia. Given that the current clinical recovery mainly depends on the body's self-limiting and conventional symptomatic treatment, LIPUS, as a new therapy method, might be a major advance in the treatment of viral pneumonia.
Trial Registration:
ChiCTR2200059550 Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, May 3, 2022.
Insights
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) may effectively reduce lung inflammation in patients with viral pneumonia. This novel therapeutic approach offers a potential new treatment option for this challenging respiratory condition.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
Background:
- Viral pneumonia presents clinical challenges due to its insidious nature, high infectivity, and limited effective treatments.
- Elderly patients and those with comorbidities are at higher risk for severe symptoms and respiratory dysfunction.
- Current treatments focus on reducing pulmonary inflammation and alleviating clinical symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of therapeutic low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in managing lung inflammation in hospitalized patients with viral pneumonia.
- To evaluate LIPUS as a novel treatment modality for viral pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial involving sixty participants with confirmed viral pneumonia.
- Participants were assigned to an intervention group (LIPUS), a control group (null stimulus), or a self-control group.
- Primary outcome: reduction in lung inflammation via computed tomography; secondary outcomes: ultrasonography, pulmonary function, blood gas analysis, inflammatory markers, and clinical recovery metrics.
Main Results:
- This section is not available in the provided abstract.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the first clinical investigation into the efficacy of therapeutic LIPUS for viral pneumonia.
- LIPUS shows promise as a significant advancement in treating viral pneumonia, complementing the body's self-limiting recovery and conventional symptomatic treatments.
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