Effectiveness of mesotherapy in post-covid pain syndrome: retrospective cohort study of 96 patients

Abstract

Purpose: Musculoskeletal pain may occur after becoming infected with SARS-Cov2. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of mesotherapy in treating chronic pain following COVID-19 infection. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the records of 96 patients with post-COVID pain syndrome. Those who were eligible for oral therapy or mesotherapy, included in the study. Patients receiving oral treatment with diclofenac potassium, thiocolchicoside and cyanocobalamin were included in one group (n = 46), and patients receiving intradermal mesotherapy with 2% lidocaine + cyanocobalamin were included in another group (n = 50). The results of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) were individually assessed before and one week after the treatment. Findings: The participants were 40.2 ± 11.1 years old on average. Of the participants, 35.4% (n = 34) were male and 64.6% (n = 62) were female. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the patients in terms of VAS and LANSS scores. Following the treatment, a notable positive response was observed in both groups. Nevertheless, when compared to the oral treatment group, the mesotherapy group exhibited a more pronounced enhancement in VAS and LANSS scores (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Implications: While both mesotherapy and oral therapy offer benefits in reducing pain and alleviating neuropathic symptoms in post-COVID pain syndrome, mesotherapy stands out as an especially effective and well-tolerated treatment method, surpassing the efficacy of the oral alternative.