Avaliação da eficácia da auriculoterapia a laser para tratamento de falta de olfato e paladar Pós-COVID-19: relatos de casos

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The most common symptoms are: fever, dry cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, rashes, loss of smell and/or taste (anosmia and/or ageusia). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of laser in acuriculotherapy to treat patients with COVID-19 who presented with anosmia and/or ageusia. In this project to establish a clinical protocol, volunteers (n=12) with a rapid test or PCR test for COVID-19, treated, aged over 18 years, both genders, who had post-COVID-19 anosmia as sequelae, participated in this project. and/or ageusia. The volunteers were treated in the laser auriculotherapy group (ATL, n=6) or in the traditional auriculotherapy control group (ATT, n=6), once a week, for 10 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. In the ATL group, using portable low power diode laser equipment (Laser Duo®, MMOptics, São Carlos, Brazil), semiconductor diode active medium (GaAlAs and InGaAlP), with emission in the infrared wavelength (808 nm), energy of 3 J, fixed power of 100 mW, tip area of 0.03 cm2, dose of 100 J/cm2, time of 30 s in contact with the skin at each acupoint. In the ATT group using rapeseed or mustard fixed by adhesive tape, both groups in the points: SHEN MEN, KIDNEY, SYMPATHETIC, TONGUE, MOUTH, EXTERNAL NOSE, INTERNAL NOSE/PHARYNX, HEART AND LUNGS. They answered the clinical evaluation form and quality of life questionnaires (SF36) in the first and last session. Odor and taste tests composed of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and spicy foods were applied from a questionnaire with the “Likert” scale before and after each session. The ATL group, in the analysis of the mental health parameter related to the SF36, showed a statistically significant difference (p< 0.05) and it was possible to observe improvements in smell and taste of bitter and sour foods after treatment. The ATT group showed significant improvements regarding smell and salty taste. The treatments promoted an improvement and general well-being in the volunteers in both evaluated groups, and in the laser group it was possible to observe better statistically significant results. Laser auriculotherapy has the advantage of being a non-pharmacological, painless therapy with minimal side effects.