Molecular hydrogen inhalation therapy significantly improved both respiratory function and physical exercise capacity in acute post-COVID-19 patients over a 14-day treatment period, with measurable increases in 6-minute walking distance and pulmonary function parameters. These findings suggest that H2 inhalation represents a safe and potentially effective therapeutic approach for accelerating functional recovery and rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 patients. The antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of molecular hydrogen may address key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying post-COVID-19 dysfunction.
Plain-Language Summary
This study tested whether breathing molecular hydrogen gas could help people recovering from COVID-19. Fifty people who were 3-5 weeks into their recovery breathed either hydrogen gas or a placebo (fake treatment) for 2 hours each day over 14 days. Researchers measured how far participants could walk in 6 minutes and tested their lung function. People who breathed hydrogen gas walked farther and showed improvements in lung function compared to those who received the placebo.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen (H2) is potentially a novel therapeutic gas for acute post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients because it has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and antifatigue properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 14 days of H2 inhalation on the respiratory and physical fitness status of acute post-COVID-19 patients. This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study included 26 males (44 ± 17 years) and 24 females (38 ± 12 years), who performed a 6-min walking test (6 MWT) and pulmonary function test, specifically forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). Symptomatic participants were recruited between 21 and 33 days after a positive polymerase chain reaction test. The experiment consisted of H2/placebo inhalation, 2 × 60 min/day for 14 days. Results showed that H2 therapy, compared with placebo, significantly increased 6 MWT distance by 64 ± 39 m, FVC by 0.19 ± 0.24 L, and, in FEV1, by 0.11 ± 0.28 L (all p ≤ 0.025). In conclusion, H2 inhalation had beneficial health effects in terms of improved physical and respiratory function in acute post-COVID-19 patients. Therefore, H2 inhalation may represent a safe, effective approach for accelerating early function restoration in post-COVID-19 patients.
