Radiofrequency Intervention in Post COVID-19 Patients

The new post-pandemic era has left sequelae in patients who presented the signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently faced a positive for COVID-19. Such sequelae will be evident at various systemic levels of the affected patienta in the short, medium and long term future. One of these levels is neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal complications and injuries that have been documented throughout all scientific research since the beginning of massive infections worldwide.

SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by penetrating the respiratory route (mostly), by fluid contact, and to a lesser extent, through the ocular pathway. In the field of neurology, pulmonology and the musculoskeletal system, different forms of RF, nerve infiltrations, lymph node injuries, plantar fasciitis, spinal (peripheral) nerve disorders, etc. have been documented.

If the investigators focus on one of the most prevalent symptoms (those that affect the respiratory system), the bibliography that endorses that the RFMCR could improve has been referenced.

In 1992, Martínez Rubio and Bordas described how, from the first treatment session, 60% of asthmatic patients treated (n = 52) improved significantly, both in terms of bronchospasm and dyspnea. In general, 5 to 10 sessions were necessary to improve symptoms in more than 75% of patients. In 2020, Bito et al. published how the use of this technology significantly increases chest wall motility in older women (74.6 ± 5.4 years on average; n = 28). These symptomatic effects can be correlated with the findings of Tashiro et al., which proved that 15 minutes of treatment at the epigastric level significantly increased (p <0.016) the levels of total hemoglobin (Hb) and oxy-Hb, and how this significant increase, was maintained at least up to 30 minutes after the end of the treatment (at which time measurement was interrupted). These findings reinforce those described by Bito et al. and those of Yokata et al.

No less important are the proven effects of hyperthermia in strengthening the immune system both in healthy patients (prevention) and in patients with infectious diseases.

The aim of this study is to assess the potential benefits of RFMCR in patients with neurological, respiratory and/or musculoskeletal problems which started after SARV-CoV-2 infection. The work proposed here aims to demonstrate the advantages of establishing RF as an excellent treatment for post-COVID-19 sequelae, due to its ability to reinforce immune action, modulate the inflammatory response and activate cellular and tissue regeneration.

The specific objectives of this research work are:

1. To demonstrate the efficacy of RFMCR as a therapy in neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal pathologies derived from the sequelae of COVID-19.
2. To evidence and document the effects generated by the treatment with RFMCR in such systems.
3. To estimate the level of benefit from RF in each of the different systems treated and define the benefit/risk ratio.
4. To present and validate the therapy for the injuries under study that show significant improvements.

REGULATIONS

1. This clinical study will be carried out in accordance with the protocol, the principles established in the current revised version of the Declaration of Helsinki (Fortaleza, 2013) and in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements.
2. The researcher is aware, when signing the protocol, of the obligation to adhere to the instructions and procedures described in it, and will ensure that the established provisions are strictly adhered to.
3. The study will not begin until the approval of the Research Ethics Committee has been obtained.

4. The principal investigator is responsible for ensuring that this protocol, the informed consent document, and any other information that is presented or facilitated to the possible subjects is reviewed and approved by the CEI. The Researcher agrees to allow direct access to the REC to all relevant documents.

   INFORMED CONSENT.

5. In this case, patients must give their consent prior to being included in the study. The content and the procedure for obtaining it must be in accordance with all applicable legal requirements.
6. The investigator is responsible for obtaining the written informed consent of each patient participating in this study, after having explained in an understandable way, the nature, objectives, methods, expected benefits and possible risks of the study. The investigator must also explain to them that patients are completely free to refuse to participate in the study or to withdraw from it at any time, for whatever reason.

7. The study patients will give their consent, signing the corresponding model. For this purpose, each informed consent must be signed by both the investigator and the patient.

   CONFIDENTIALITY.

8. All information related to the study is considered confidential in compliance with the confidentiality and custody of the data collected, in accordance with the 3/2018 Law on the protection of personal data (LOPDGDD), (article 5). Article 5.1 .f) of the RGPD states that personal data will be treated in such a way as to guarantee confidentiality and integrity
9. In order to guarantee the confidentiality of the study data, only the main researcher and her team of collaborators will have access to it, the CEI and the pertinent health authorities.

FINANCING

1. The financing is assumed by the Gema León Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic. There is no direct economic consideration for this, although there is a dedication of time and work by the team of physiotherapists (social security, payroll, personal income tax, etc.) that is not economically remunerated and is assumed or absorbed this way. In addition, the RFMCR technology (equipment and accessories) will be provided by the company INDIBA S.A., through a temporary assignment without any financial compensation either from the Gema León Physiotherapy Clinic, or from any patient. The treatment of these is completely free for them.
2. The patient must travel to the clinic facilities and it is the researcher who will be responsible for the treatment in it.
3. No difficulties are foreseen in its performance since it will be carried out using a schedule adapted to the patient that allows the study to be monitored.

It is intended to carry out a longitudinal study with the participation of 98 patients for each type of pathology neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal, who confirmed a positive test for COVID-19. Thus, the entire population was 294 patients. The sample size for our study is large enough to detect a clinically important difference in the primary outcome (s). For this, the investigators reviewed references at the bibliographic level, in which paired studies obtained a statistically significant value, being able to support our study. If the sample size was insufficient but statistically significant, the investigators would resort to expanding the sample. The division of the sample is carried out at random within the established groups.

The patients will be divided INTO TTHREE GROUPS: Group A, or placebo of 33 participants for each pathology modality, evaluated and administered false treatment with the machine turned off.This group will be divided into 3 subgroups: Placebo" with neurological A1, respiratory A2 and/or musculoskeletal pathologies A3, acquired after COVID-19 ; group B or group of treatment with RF and manual therapy. This group will be divided into 3 subgroups of 34 participants each: Group B1 "Neurological Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with RF treatment y manual therapy; Group B2 "Respiratory Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with RF treatment and manual therapy and Group B3 "Musculoskeletal Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with RF treatment and manual therapy. Finally Group C of 31 participants each: Group C1 "Neurological Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy; Group C2 "Respiratory Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy and Group C3 "Musculoskeletal Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy.

Thus we compare the therapies of groups A1, B1 and C1, of Neurological Pathologies. Then we compare the therapies of groups A2, B2 and C2, of Respiratory Pathologies.

And Finally we compare the therapies of groups A3, B3 and C3, of Musculoskeletal Pathologies.

All groups will be evaluated at the beginning, a second evaluation after 3 weeks and a third final control after 12 sessions. A fourth evaluation will be carried out after the last and final evaluation, 6 weeks after finishing the treatment. Each of the participants will be informed of the study, the objective, its possible benefits and the side effects that could arise. A) Therefore, each patient must give their free and confirmed consent through signature. Among the items in the methodology, the following stand out:

Primary data parameters: A series of questions will be asked to each of the patients about the conditions diagnosed during the disease and those suffered after the infection that are directly related to abnormalities to be assessed.

Secondary Data Parameters: The therapeutic protocol will be executed in the facilities of the Gema León Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic (Cordoba, Spain). Such RF therapeutic protocol will be implemented by application with an INDIBA® Activ device, whose function is to reduce inflammation, stimulate immunity and promote tissue regeneration. This will consist of a 30-minute treatment, composed by 5 minutes of treatment with the capacitive electrode and 25 minutes of the resistive electrode. A total of 12 sessions will be scheduled (two per week), and all processes will be documented from the beginning of therapy (the resources used will be provided by INDIBA and the Gema León Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, whose supervision will be carried out by the direction of both).

Dependent Variables: variables of nominal type such as sex, age, vaccination, number of days with symptoms, type of symptom will be created. The patients will be grouped into 3 groups of 98 participants each (294 in total):

• Group A "Control" without pathologies neurological, respiratory and/or musculoskeletal previous and positive confirmed in test carried out without protocol of RF wave treatment or Placebo: with Neurological Pathologies after COVID-19 or A1, Respiratory Pathologies after COVID-19 or A2 and Musculoskeletal Pathologies after COVID-19 or A3, acquired after COVID-19.
• Group B or group of treatment with RF and manual therapy: Group B1 "Neurological Pathologies after COVID-19". Group B2 "Respiratory Pathologies after COVID-19". Group B3 "Musculoskeletal Pathologies after COVID-19" (these last three subgroups being group B of treatment with RFMCR, INDIBA® Activ" and manual therapy.
• Group C or group of treatment with manual therapy only: Group C1 "Neurological Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy; Group C2 "Respiratory Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy and Group C3 "Musculoskeletal Pathologies after COVID-19" and positive in COVID-19 with manual therapy.

Independent Variables: In order to compare the variables between groups, different methods of pain threshold and function of the mentioned systems will be used, such as: Global Functionality Scale (GAF), Katz Index for Independence, Lawton and Brody Scale of Basic Activities, Barthel index for disability, European Quality of Life 5-D Questionnaire (EURO- QoL 5-D) for quality of life, Tinetti test for gait and balance, joint amplitude scale measured with the goniometer (goniometry), strength muscle dynamometer (Dynamometry), pain index (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Ashworth Scale modified for spasticity, reflectivity measurement with the Wartenberg Scale for bone tendon reflexes (ROTs), examination of sensitivity from evaluation of dermatomes, measurement of lung function with spirometry, tests for respiratory muscle function (measurement of inspiratory and expiratory pressures maximum; Pimax and Pemax, respectively), and Sadoul scale for dyspnea and measurement of costal excursion. The statistical analysis is based on variables of nominal type mostly, which are suitable for the Chi square test with a significance value of 95% for the results (p <0.05). However, if there are numerical data that must be compared between groups, the analysis will be used for ANOVA test with the same significance value for the comparison between results.