Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong CK (1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought much attention on the development of vaccines and treatment guidelines worldwide due to the rapid transmission rate and mortality. Clinical manifestations of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, myalgia and diarrhea, etc.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the valuable heritage of Chinese people, contributing both to the Chinese and western medicine history worldwide. It is generally accepted and taken seriously by people seeking for medical advice in Hong Kong nowadays.
Despite the management of patients with post-COVID syndromes by TCM has been discussed, little consolidating review has been provided in concluding the management of common post-COVID syndromes. Such knowledge gap in TCM is addressed in this study.
Objectives :
To study the role of TCM in COVID-19, aiming at investigating the management of patients with post-COVID syndromes.
Methodology :
An inductive qualitative study had been performed which involved the literature review of web-based documents and case study reflective notes, etc. Conclusions were then made based on the findings and patterns identified in the study. The method of ‘maximum variation sample’ was used such that the factor of demographic variable affecting the result of study was eliminated.
Result & Outcome :
The previous studies of this topic had focused on TCM management of patients with post-COVID syndromes, with the assessment of their value and presentation on the mechanisms of action according to theory of TCM provided. Little consolidating review on the management strategy was available.
Common post-COVID syndromes identified include nausea, nervous, restless and insomnia; fever, cough, wheezing, tenderness of chest and difficulties in breathing; depression, anxiety and phobias; lack of appetite, distension of the stomach and abdomen; general body aches, headaches and fatigue.
Results showed that the theories of TCM were applied by practitioners of TCM in the patient management, including Yin and Yang, the theory of five elements, the circulation of Qi, the internal organs theory and the meridian and collateral theory. A well prescribed TCM herbal remedies is suitable for management of post-COVID syndromes.
Review also showed that efforts had been provided by the investigators in identifying which components of different TCM herbal remedies are primarily responsible for the beneficial effects during management of patients with post-COVID syndromes.
Attempt had been made in Hong Kong local university in establishing the centre for development of Chinese herbal medicine drugs. It is hoped that it can enhance the local ability to develop Chinese medicine drugs in response to market demands, including those for management of patients with post-COVID syndromes.
This review concludes the role of TCM in management of patients with post-COVID syndromes. Effective TCM management strategy for COVID-19 requires further public health and clinical interventions.
