Efficacy of Different Prone Position Times in Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Efficacy of Different Prone Position Times in Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19

Background: The prone position was reported in many non-ventilated hypoxemic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate the effects of different prone position times on gas exchange in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.Methods: In this cohort study, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19-related pneumonia receiving supplemental oxygen were recruited from Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang, China. Baseline data on the demographics, anthropometrics, and arterial blood gas were collected. The patients were helped to a prone position, and the primary outcome indicator, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured. Clinical data were collected 30 minutes before placing the patients in the prone position and 30 minutes after returning them to the supine position. This study received Ethics Committee approval (K20230210).Findings: Between January 9 and 19, 2022, we enrolled 104 patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. There was a significant difference in the patients’ oxygen saturation before and after placing them in the prone position. The patients were divided into three groups according to the duration of prone position times (≤3, 3– 6, or ＞6 hours). There was no significant difference in the anterior and posterior oxygen saturation reduction among the three groups.Interpretation: These data suggest that prone ventilation could improve oxygen saturation in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Further research is required to determine the optimal duration of prone position ventilation for improving the oxygen saturation in patients with COVID-19.Funding: There was no additional financial support from public or private sources.Declaration of Interest: The authors have no proprietary interest in any aspect of this study.Ethical Approval: This study received Ethics Committee approval (K20230210).