Long COVID rehabilitation therapy of patients (Poh Teck Tung Foundation staff) with traditional Chinese medicine through the telemedicine system

Abstract

This routine-to-research study aimed to provide rehabilitation therapy of patients with Long COVID (Poh Teck Tung Foundation staff) using traditional Chinese medicine through the telemedicine system. Data were obtained by collecting patients’ information from August 1 to October 31, 2021. There were 11 cases, 5 males and 6 females with an average age of 42.9±10.26 years. The most common symptoms were fatigue (3 cases, 27.27%) and cough (3 cases, 27.27%). There were 5 cases of the other symptoms such as sleep disorder, dyspnea, snoring, mucus in the throat and abnormal smell. Eight cases were diagnosed with deficiency of Qi lung and spleen (72.72%), and 3 cases of deficiency of Qi and Yin (27.27%). After receiving medical treatment, all 11 cases (100%) had objective response rate. There were 8 cases (72.72%) of complete response (CR) and 3 cases (27.27%) of partial response (PR). The safety evaluation of the prescriptions revealed that there were 10 cases (90.9%) with level I safety and 1 case with level II relatively safe (9.09%). The overall satisfaction of the participants with the telemedicine system was at highest level with an average of 4.73±0.45. Most of the cases were satisfied with the services of the doctors and the results of treatment with the average of 4.77±0.40, and the least satisfaction was on the processes and service (average of 4.34±0.63), and information technology (average of 4.36±0.64).