Trial *
Publication Tian F, Eur J Phys Rehabil Med, 2021 (published paper)
Dates: 2020-03-01 to 2020-04-05
Funding: Public/non profit (Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST)
Conflict of interest: No

Methods
RCT
Blinding: double blinding
Location : Single center / China
Follow-up duration (days): 14
Inclusion criteriaPositive RT-PCR assay for SARSCoV-2 from a respiratory tract sample; moderate symptom category with fever, fatigue and respiratory symptoms; lung CT showing multiple patchy ground glass shadows or other typical manifestations
Exclusion criteriaNeed for ICU monitoring or mechanical ventilation; metal implants or tumor within the upper trunk; abnormal skin sensation on the chest or upper back; pregnant or lactating women; severe cognitive impairment causing inability to complete treatment as directed or malignancy; lacking signed informed consent
Interventions
Treatment
Short-wave diathermy
10-min electrodes placed on the chest and upper back of the patient, at 27.12 MHz once a day for 14 days.
Control
Placebo
Participants
Randomized
42 participants (n1=28 / n2= 14)
Characteristics of participants
N=42
Mean age : NR
25 males
Severity : Mild: n=20 / Moderate: n=*/ Severe: n=* Critical: n=0
Primary outcome
In the register
NR
In the report
Integrated clinical improvement rate, clinical improvement (the event) was defined as a two-level decline on a seven-category ordinal scale within 14 days (or discharge or death, whichever came first)
Documents
available

Protocol

NR

Statistical plan

NR

Data-sharing stated
Risk of bias
Overall
The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review
Some concerns
General comment The published article was used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Protocol or study registry were not available. The study achieved the target sample size specified in the methods section and reported on all outcomes listed in the methods section.