Thermotherapy, or heat therapy includes hydrothermotherapy, hydrotherapy, and diathermy, methods for increasing internal body temperature which may have benefits similar to natural fever, while providing potential advantages regarding localization, precision, and lower metabolic cost.
Statistically significant lower risk is seen for recovery. 3 studies from 3 independent teams in 2 countries show significant improvements.
Meta analysis using the most serious outcome reported shows 56% [9‑78%] lower risk. Results are similar for Randomized Controlled Trials and higher quality studies.
Currently there is limited data, with only 217 patients and only 20 control events for the most serious outcome in trials to date.
No treatment or intervention is 100% effective. All practical, effective, and safe means should be used based on risk/benefit analysis. Multiple treatments are typically used in combination, and other treatments may be more effective. There has been no early treatment studies to date. Thermotherapy methods may have additional mechanisms of action beyond increased internal body temperatures. Studies of ventilated patients are excluded1.
All data to reproduce this paper and sources are in the appendix.
Covid Analysis et al., May 2024, preprint, 1 author.
