Investigating the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in controlling COVID-19 compared to common medical treatments

INTERVENTION: Intervention 1: Intervention group: Current standard treatments for COVID‐19 and laser acupuncture. 5‐10 sessions of daily laser acupuncture using GaAlAs laser (810 nm). 5 points of the Kid‐LI‐SJ‐Ren‐Lung‐Spleen‐ST‐BL‐LIV meridians and the ear acupoints (Lung – Shenmen) will be irradiated with the following parameters respectively: 1) power: 400 mW, dose: 8 J at each acupuncture point, 2) power: 200 mW, dose: 2 J at each ear acupoint. Intervention 2: Current standard treatments for COVID‐19. CONDITION: COVID‐19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). ; COVID‐19, virus identified U07.1 PRIMARY OUTCOME: IL‐6 serum levels. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: IL‐6 ELISA kit. Percentage of lung involvement on CT‐scan or chest x‐ray. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: CT‐scanner and portable x‐ray unit. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Body temperature. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: Thermometer. Heart rate. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: Electrocardiogram. Oxygen saturation level. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: Pulse oxymeter. Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/Fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2). Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: ABG (arterial‐blood gas) test. Respiratory rate per minute. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the each session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: Counting the number of breaths in one minute. WBC count. Timepoint: Before the intervention and after the last session of laser acupuncture treatment. Method of measurement: Measuring the number of WBCs in the patients' blood samples. INCLUSION CRITERIA: COVID‐19 patients with severe acute pneumonia hospitalized in the ward before requiring ICU admission Positive PCR test result Respiratory rate =30 per minute Oxygen saturation = 93% Fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) = 300 mmHg Progression of lung lesions by more than 50% within 24‐48 hours in the chest CT‐scans 30 to 70‐year‐old men and women