Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy shows promising results in improving symptoms of Long COVID

Medical News: New Study Highlights the Benefits of EECP in Long COVID Recovery
Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), continues to be a challenge for millions of people worldwide. Many who recover from the initial infection remain burdened by lingering symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive difficulties. Traditional treatment options have been limited, but a new study highlights a potential breakthrough using Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy. Researchers from several prestigious institutions across the United States have found that EECP, a non-invasive therapy, significantly improves key symptoms in patients suffering from long COVID. This Medical News report delves into the study’s findings and what they mean for those struggling with long COVID.


 Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) therapy shows promising results in improving symptoms of Long COVID

EECP: A Non-Invasive Approach to Treating Long COVID
EECP is an FDA-approved therapy initially designed to treat cardiovascular conditions like refractory angina and heart failure. It works by inflating and deflating pressure cuffs around a patient’s legs, timed with the heartbeat to enhance blood flow to the heart during diastole (the resting phase) and reduce the workload of the heart during systole (the contraction phase).
https://www.umcvc.org/conditions-treatments/eecp-enhanced-external-counter-pulsation-treatment
 
This unique mechanism improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and promotes vascular health, making it a promising candidate for addressing the multi-system impacts of long COVID.
 
The research team, which included scientists from Flow Therapy, the University of the Pacific, and UT Southwestern Medical Center, conducted an observational study comparing two groups of long COVID patients: one group received EECP treatment, and the other group served as a control. This article explores the details of their findings and highlights the potential of EECP as a key treatment for long COVID symptoms.
 
The Study Design and Methods
The researchers selected 33 long COVID patients for EECP therapy, matching them with 33 control participants who did not receive the treatment. Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and the severity of their symptoms at the start of the study. Patients in the EECP group underwent 25 to 45 sessions of therapy over a seven-week period, each session lasting one hour. This group was referred to Flow Therapy centers across Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, the control group was assessed twice, seven weeks apart, but received no therapy. All participants completed standardized, validated assessments such as the PROMIS Fatigue Scale, the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and the Rose Dyspnea Scale (RDS).
 
The primary goal was to measure improvements i n fatigue, functional capacity, and shortness of breath (dyspnea), which are common and debilitating symptoms of long COVID.
 
Significant Improvement in Long COVID Symptoms with EECP
The results were striking. Patients who received EECP treatment showed significant improvements across all measured outcomes compared to the control group. On the PROMIS Fatigue Scale, the EECP group improved by an average of 15 points, while the control group saw a meager 2.8-point improvement. For context, a change of just three points on the PROMIS Fatigue Scale is considered clinically meaningful.
 
Similarly, EECP patients improved their functional capacity scores on the DASI by an average of 17.8 points compared to only 1.8 points in the control group. The RDS, which measures levels of shortness of breath during activity, also saw significant improvements, with 75.8% of EECP patients improving by at least one RDS class, compared to only 33.3% in the control group.
 
The study findings provide strong evidence that EECP is an effective treatment option for addressing long COVID symptoms. Notably, over half of the EECP-treated patients (54.6%) showed clinically meaningful improvements in all three key measures (fatigue, functional capacity, and dyspnea). In stark contrast, none of the patients in the control group demonstrated such across-the-board improvements.
 
How EECP Targets the Root Causes of Long COVID
Long COVID is believed to result from several underlying mechanisms, including immune system dysregulation, persistent inflammation, and vascular dysfunction. One of the major hallmarks of long COVID is endothelial dysfunction, which impairs blood vessel health and contributes to many symptoms, including fatigue and shortness of breath. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in regulating blood flow, and when they are damaged, they can lead to widespread vascular issues.
 
EECP’s effectiveness likely stems from its ability to restore vascular health and improve endothelial function. By enhancing blood flow and reducing the heart’s workload, EECP increases nitric oxide production and reduces inflammation, both of which are critical for maintaining healthy blood vessels. The therapy also stimulates the release of growth factors that promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, further supporting recovery in patients with vascular impairments caused by long COVID.
 
Study Limitations and the Need for Further Research
While the results of this study are promising, there are limitations that must be acknowledged. The sample size was relatively small, with only 33 patients in each group. Additionally, the study was not randomized, which could introduce bias. The researchers also noted that they lacked information on whether participants in the control group were using other treatments or medications that might have influenced their results. To confirm these findings, larger, randomized controlled trials are needed.
 
Despite these limitations, the study provides important preliminary evidence supporting EECP as a potential treatment for long COVID. The authors emphasize the urgent need for further research, given the widespread and long-lasting impact of long COVID on public health and the economy.
 
Conclusion: A Promising Path Forward for Long COVID Patients
The findings of this study suggest that EECP may offer a much-needed treatment option for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of long COVID. The significant improvements in fatigue, functional capacity, and shortness of breath seen in EECP-treated patients provide hope for millions of people worldwide who continue to experience the long-term effects of COVID-19.
 
As the medical community continues to search for effective treatments for long COVID, EECP stands out as a promising, low-risk therapy that can improve the quality of life for those affected. The disability and economic toll of long COVID necessitate urgent action, and EECP may play a key role in the solution.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: COVID.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/4/9/98
 
For the latest news, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/tens-therapy-shows-promise-for-long-covid-pain-relief
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-causes-glymphatic-drainage-dysfunction-and-bbb-disruption-that-contributes-to-neuroaxonal-injury