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Effectiveness of Five-Element Regulatory Therapy for post-COVID syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Post-COVID syndrome is characterized by persistent, unexplained symptoms including chronic cough, palpitations, insomnia, and fatigue that develop following SARS-CoV-2 infection without identifiable causes. Current treatments show limited efficacy, requiring alternative options. This study aims to observe the effectiveness of Five-Element Regulation Therapy (FERT), a Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention, in managing post-COVID syndrome. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using clinical records of 127 post-COVID syndrome patients from the TCM outpatient department of Peking University Third Hospital. The participants were divided into two groups: 81 cases receiving FERT treatment were assigned to the exposure group, while 46 cases undergoing conventional TCM therapy served as the control group. The treatment duration was 2 weeks for both groups, followed by immediate follow-up. The outcomes included the clinical cure rate and clinical response rate at 2 weeks after the treatment initiation. Results: < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that FERT may be superior to conventional TCM therapy in managing post-COVID syndrome. Results should be interpreted with heightened caution due to the study's inherent limitations.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1621948

Authors: Ning Ding, Yunqiao Zhou, Haolin Zhang, Xiyan Xin, Yang Ye, Dong Li

Institutions: Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801