The Effect of Chinese Medicine for Rehabilitation of Discharged COVID-19 Patients: A Protocol for Multi-Center Observational Study
Authors:   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Zhong Linda Li-Dan , Wong Yi-Ping ,   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Peng Bo ,   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, in Zhi-Xiu L ,   School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Taam Vivian Chi-Woon Wong ,   School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Luo Yi ,   School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Chen Hai-Yong ,   School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Chao Chao-Dong ,   United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Tai Po District), Wong Chor-Fung ,   HKFTU Workers’ Medical Clinics - Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (North District), Tam Freddie Shung-Chi ,   Pok Oi Hospital - Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Kowloon City District), Chan Kui ,   The Hong Kong Tuberculosis Association - The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Southern District), Lee Kwan-Yiu ,   Pok Oi Hospital - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Yuen Long District), Ho Lai-Fun ,   Pok Oi Hospital - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Shatin District), Wong Alan Yat-Lun ,   Haven of Hope - The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre (Sai Kung District), Choy Chi-Fung ,   Department of Medicine, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, Ng Bacon Fung-Leung ,   Chinese Medicine Department, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, Wong Rowena How-Wan ,   Chinese Medicine Department, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, Feng Yi-Bin ,   School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Liong Ching ,   School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Bian Zhao-Xiang ,   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 16 months, and there have been over 169 million confirmed cases worldwide. Besides, after treatment with Western medicine or undergoing home quarantine, COVID-19 patients are still severely or mildly functionally impaired. Though COVID-19 patients were discharged from the hospital, most of them still exhibit certain clinical symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, shortness of breath, and poor sleep. The syndromes, linked with the Chinese Medicine (CM) body constitutions, could be due to pre-COVID-19 infections, suffering from the infection, or a post-infection consequence. CM has been used by humans for thousands of years in Asia, especially in Hong Kong, and it is gaining increasing attention and popularity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CM on alleviating the clinical symptoms of the discharged COVID-19 Patients. This was a multicenter observational and comparative study. One hundred and fifty participants discharged from Hong Kong hospitals were recruited. The patients received three to six months of treatment using CM and were assessed by questionnaires and lung function tests each month during the treatment period and on the 9th month follow-up visit. In light of this global pandemic, we hope this study will bring new opportunities for CM, and facilitate patient recovery and rehabilitation. We believe that this may be the key to promoting rehabilitation.