What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a Phase I safety study treating five amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy for four weeks.
What They Found
Four out of five patients reported decreased fatigue, though one patient dropped out due to increased fatigue. Maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVIC) significantly improved by up to 97% in most muscle groups, with improvement continuing for four weeks post-treatment.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Currently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not recommended for Canadian patients with ALS due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. Further research is needed before considering this treatment option for ALS patients.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study was limited by its small sample size, lack of a placebo control, and the possibility of placebo or learning effects influencing the results.