The Impact of Traditional Chinese Herbal Decoctions Combined with Rehabilitation Therapy on Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in COVID-19 Recovery Patients

Li Luo,1 Xi-Jiao Liu,2 Dong-Ling Chen,1 Xiao-Ya Deng,1 Yong-Hong Pan,1 Sheng Li1 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shapingba Hospital affiliated to Chongqing University (Shapingba District People’s Hospital of Chongqing), Chongqing, Shapingba District, 400040, People’s Republic of China; 2Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (Bishan Hospital of Chongqing), Chongqing, Bishan District, 402760, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Sheng Li, Email [email protected]: This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment during the recovery period of COVID-19, providing a scientific basis for developing more effective rehabilitation protocols.Methods: The study included 120 COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) recovery patients treated at our hospital from November 2021 to April 2022. After registration, patients were randomly divided into two groups, namely the study group and the control group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, while the study group underwent integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment, with 60 cases in each group. The clinical observation indicators in this study include the results of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory and circulatory parameters, pulmonary function, changes in respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in both groups of patients.Results: The 6MWT distance increased significantly in both groups, with the study group showing a larger improvement (P < 0.05). SpO2 and PaO2 values improved significantly in both groups, with greater increases in the study group (P < 0.05). Lung function parameters (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC) improved significantly in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Diaphragmatic thickness and mobility were also significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05). The SF-36 quality of life scores were significantly better in the study group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment has achieved significant efficacy during the recovery period of COVID-19. The complementary use of traditional Chinese medicine’s differential diagnosis and treatment and modern medical approaches from Western medicine provides patients with comprehensive and personalized rehabilitation services, offering new ideas and methods to improve the quality of patient recovery.Keywords: COVID-19, novel coronavirus, recovery period, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine rehabilitation treatment, efficacy