Photobiomodulation therapy for treatment olfactory and taste dysfunction <scp>COVID</scp>‐19‐related: A case report
Viviane Brocca de Souza, Laís Tatiane Ferreira, Marcela Sene‐Fiorese, Vanessa Garcia, Tiago Rodrigues, Antônio Eduardo de Aquino, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, Vitor Hugo Panhóca
Abstract
It is postulated that the inflammatory process resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection is the main cause of smell and taste dysfunctions in patients. In view of this, photobiomodulation, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, may be a promising therapeutic modality to treat these disorders. In the present case report, we observed clinical improvement in the symptoms of anosmia and ageusia related to COVID-19 after treatment with photobiomodulation. Due to the inflammatory nature of COVID-19 and the anti-inflammatory effects, photobiomodulation antioxidants already proven in the literature make it a promising therapeutic modality, especially sequela COVID-related, including olfactory (anosmia) and taste (ageusia) dysfunction. In the present case report, the patient's olfactory and gustatory functions were re-established after 10 treatment sessions with photobiomodulation.