Keywords
Postacute COVID-19 syndrome
SARS-CoV-2
Olfaction disorders
Taste disorders
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Abstract
Objective: To describe a series of three patients with olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by post-COVID-19 syndrome who underwent treatment with photobiomodulation therapy. Cases details: A protocol was established by employing the infrared spectrum alone to treat olfactory alterations and its combination with the red wavelength for improving gustatory parameters. Photobiomodulation sessions were scheduled twice a week, with a minimum interval of 48 hours between them. Patient progress regarding the restoration of smell and taste was monitored via an adapted visual analog scale. After 20 sessions, two patients achieved complete olfactory recovery, one of them also with full gustatory recovery, while the remaining patient showed partial improvement in both senses. The follow-up period ranged from six months to one year. Final considerations: For this case series, photobiomodulation therapy demonstrated potentially beneficial in all the cases presented, however requiring further investigation.
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