Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
Enhanced external counterpulsation for management of symptoms associated with long COVID
Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy1, Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez2, Swathi Varanasi3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Study Objective:
Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) as a possible therapy for Long COVID.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of a contemporary, consecutive patient cohort.
Setting:
7 outpatient treatment centers.
Participants:
Long COVID patients.
Intervention:
15-35 EECP treatments.
Main Outcome Measures:
The change from baseline in 1) Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue; 2) Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ); 3) Duke Activity Status Index (DASI); 4) 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT); 5) Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Angina Grade; 6) Rose Dyspnea Scale (RDS); and 7) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).
Results:
Compared to baseline, the PROMIS Fatigue, SAQ, DASI, and 6MWT improved by 4.63 ± 3.42 (p < 0.001), 21.44 ± 16.54 (p < 0.001), 18.08 ± 13.82 (p < 0.001), and 200.00 ± 180.14 (p = 0.002), respectively. CCS and RDS improved in 63% and 44% of patients, respectively. All patients unable to work prior to EECP were able to return post-therapy.
Conclusions And Relevance:
EECP significantly improved validated fatigue and cardiovascular-related markers in patients with Long COVID.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:24Chest Physiotherapy
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: