Effect of systemic ozone therapy added to pharmacological treatment on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cognitive status in post-COVID patients

BACKGROUND: Treatment is required for post-COVID cognitive impairment associated with functional limitations, reduced work capacity, and significant deterioration in quality of life. Pharmacological treatment is ineffective. In this context, physical therapy, especially systemic ozone therapy with potential neuroprotective effects, appears promising. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of systemic ozone therapy added to pharmacological treatment on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive status in patients with post-COVID cognitive impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients aged 18-45 years with post-COVID asthenic syndrome were evaluated and treated. They were randomized into two groups: an experimental group with 70 subjects who received systemic ozone therapy in addition to pharmacological treatment and the comparator group with 70 subjects who received pharmacological treatment only. Pre- and post-treatment outcomes were assessed using plasma BDNF levels and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) score. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in BDNF levels (р=0.034) and MoCa scores (р=0.002) were found between the compared groups at the end of therapy (day 30). In our study, adding systemic ozone therapy to pharmacological treatment in patients with post-COVID cognitive impairment normalized BDNF levels and completely improved clinical manifestations of cognitive impairment in 95% of subjects. CONCLUSION: Therefore, systemic ozone therapy can be considered as one of the effective and pathogenetically proven strategies for comprehensive treatment of patients with post-COVID cognitive impairment in the outpatient setting.