BACKGROUND: Over 65 million people have long COVID. Evidence for using Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) to treat long COVID is growing. A systematic review of evidence for guiding clinical decision is warranted. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects and safety of CHM in alleviating the severity of dyspnea, fatigue, exercise intolerance, depression, anxiety and insomnia in long COVID adults based on registered randomized clinical trials (RCT). SEARCH STRATEGY: World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry were searched for registered trial protocols from database inception to February 10, 2023. English (PubMed, Embase, AMED and CINAHL) and Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang Data and CQVIP) were then searched to identify relevant publications from December 2019 through April 6, 2023. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Registered RCTs that compared the effects of Chinese herbal medicines or Chinese herbal formulas against a control treatment (i.e., the placebo or usual care) in adults with persistent symptoms of long COVID. The primary outcome of dyspnea, and secondary outcomes of fatigue, exercise intolerance, depression, anxiety and insomnia were measured using validated tools at the end of the treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted, and eligible RCTs were evaluated using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations independently by two researchers. Effect sizes were estimated by random-effects modelling and mean difference (MD). Heterogeneity between trials was quantified by I². RESULTS: Among the 38 registered clinical trials we identified, seven RCTs (1,519 patients) were included in the systematic review. One RCT had a low overall risk of bias. Compared to the control, CHM reduces dyspnea on the Borg Dyspnea Scale score (MD = -0.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.65 to 0.25) with moderate certainty, and reduces fatigue on the Borg Scale (MD = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.74 to -0.22) with low certainty. CHM clinically reduces depression on Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score (MD = -6.00, 95% CI = -7.56 to -4.44) and anxiety on Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score (MD = -6.10, 95% CI = -7.67 to -4.53), and reduces insomnia on the Insomnia Severity Index (MD = -4.86, 95% CI = -12.50 to 2.79) with moderate certainty. Meta-analysis of two RCTs (517 patients) showed that CHM clinically improves exercise intolerance by increasing 6-minute walking distance (MD = -15.92, 95% CI = -10.20 to 42.05) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 68%) and low certainty. CONCLUSION CHM is associated with a post-treatment clinical reduction in depression and anxiety in long COVID adults, compared to the control, but it does not have a strong treatment effect on dyspnea and insomnia. Effects of CHM on exercise intolerance and fatigue are uncertain, and the safety of using CHM remains questionable. Please cite this article as: Tsang MS, Zhou IW, Zhang AL, Xue CC. Chinese herbal medicine for dyspnea and persistent symptoms of long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 126-137.
Humans ; Dyspnea/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; COVID-19/complications* ; Fatigue/drug therapy* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Anxiety/drug therapy* ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/drug therapy* ; Betacoronavirus

Since December 2019, COVID-19, an acute infectious disease, has gradually become a global threat. We report a case of thoracolumbar fractures (T and L) and incomplete lower limb paralysis in a patient with COVID-19. After a series of conservative treatment which did not work at all, posterior open reduction and pedicle screw internal fixation of the thoracolumbar fracture were performed in Wuhan Union Hospital. Three weeks later, the patient could stand up and the pneumonia is almost cured. We successfully performed a surgery in a COVID-19 patient, and to our knowledge it is the first operation for a COVID-19 patient ever reported.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Paralysis ; surgery ; Pedicle Screws ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

Since December 2019, a pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus, i.e. COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Although the epidemic in China has been bought under control, the global COVID-19 situation is still grim. Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), as one of critical conditions in the department of neurosurgery, requires an early and effective treatment, especially surgery. There were currently no reliable guidelines on how to perform perioperative protection in TBI patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection. According to the corresponding treatment regulations and guidelines issued by the authorities, we summarized the management strategy of TBI patients in perioperative period during the COVID-19 outbreak based on medical and nursing practice, in order to provide a reference for clinicians.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia ; methods ; Betacoronavirus ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; surgery ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operating Rooms ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Perioperative Care ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world. As of May 30, 2020, a total of 84 568 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded in China, with a mortality rate of approximately 5.5%. Taizhou is a prefecture-level city in Zhejiang Province. A total of 146 cases were diagnosed in this epidemic, with a fatality rate of 0%. This condition is due to the establishment of an "Internet +" diagnosis and treatment model based on online medical application (APP), telemedicine, WeChat service, and consultation hotline in Taizhou. Taizhou led in opening the "COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment Special Line" in China, which is conducive to pre-hospital screening, suppressing social panic, and clinical support. Hospitals also carried out related online lectures and popularization of science. We summarize Taizhou's COVID-19 prevention and control experience with telemedicine features, with a view to providing reference for the control of the epidemic at home and abroad.
Betacoronavirus ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Internet ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; prevention & control ; Telemedicine ; organization & administration

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease and a serious threat to human health. COVID-19 can cause multiple organ dysfunction, such as respiratory and circulatory failure, liver and kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and thromboembolism, and even death. The World Health Organization reports that the mortality rate of severe-type COVID-19 is over 50%. Currently, the number of severe cases worldwide has increased rapidly, but the experience in the treatment of infected patients is still limited. Given the lack of specific antiviral drugs, multi-organ function support treatment is important for patients with COVID-19. To improve the cure rate and reduce the mortality of patients with severe- and critical-type COVID-19, this paper summarizes the experience of organ function support in patients with severe- and critical-type COVID-19 in Optical Valley Branch of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China. This paper systematically summarizes the procedures of functional support therapies for multiple organs and systems, including respiratory, circulatory, renal, hepatic, and hematological systems, among patients with severe- and critical-type COVID-19. This paper provides a clinical reference and a new strategy for the optimal treatment of COVID-19 worldwide.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; therapy ; Respiration

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early December 2019, 81 174 confirmed cases and 3242 deaths have been reported in China as of March 19, 2020. The Chinese people and government have contributed huge efforts to combat this disease, resulting in significant improvement of the situation, with 58 new cases (34 were imported cases) and 11 new deaths reported on March 19, 2020. However, as of March 19, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop in 167 countries/territories outside of China, and 128 665 confirmed cases and 5536 deaths have been reported, with 16 498 new cases and 817 new deaths occurring in last 24 hours. Therefore, the world should work together to fight against this pandemic. Here, we review the recent advances in COVID-19, including the insights in the virus, the responses of the host cells, the cytokine release syndrome, and the therapeutic approaches to inhibit the virus and alleviate the cytokine storm. By sharing knowledge and deepening our understanding of the virus and the disease pathogenesis, we believe that the community can efficiently develop effective vaccines and drugs, and the mankind will eventually win this battle against this pandemic.
Betacoronavirus ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; epidemiology ; therapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers and increase the current knowledge on the perinatal consequences of COVID-19. Nineteen neonates were admitted to Tongji Hospital from January 31 to February 29, 2020. Their mothers were clinically diagnosed or laboratory-confirmed with COVID-19. We prospectively collected and analyzed data of mothers and infants. There are 19 neonates included in the research. Among them, 10 mothers were confirmed COVID-19 by positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in throat swab, and 9 mothers were clinically diagnosed with COVID-19. Delivery occurred in an isolation room and neonates were immediately separated from the mothers and isolated for at least 14 days. No fetal distress was found. Gestational age of the neonates was 38.6 ± 1.5 weeks, and average birth weight was 3293 ± 425 g. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in throat swab, urine, and feces of all neonates were negative. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in breast milk and amniotic fluid was negative too. None of the neonates developed clinical, radiologic, hematologic, or biochemical evidence of COVID-19. No vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and no perinatal complications in the third trimester were found in our study. The delivery should occur in isolation and neonates should be separated from the infected mothers and care givers.
Adult ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnostic imaging ; transmission ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Mothers ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnostic imaging ; transmission ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Betacoronavirus ; immunology ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Gold Colloid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; diagnosis ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; complications ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glycosuria ; epidemiology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; epidemiology ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; complications ; Retrospective Studies

Betacoronavirus ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; Disease Outbreaks ; Emergencies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Internet ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Pneumonia, Viral ; prevention & control