What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective single-blind randomized clinical trial to compare a modified US Navy Treatment Table 6 (TT6m) with a shorter custom table (FH01) for the initial management of mild decompression sickness.
What They Found
Of 41 mild decompression sickness cases, 21 received TT6m and 20 received FH01. The median number of treatments until symptom resolution was 1 for FH01 and 2 for TT6m (P = 0.01), with 85% of FH01 patients achieving complete resolution after initial treatment compared to 38% for TT6m (P = 0.003). Both tables showed similar overall outcomes, with 19/20 FH01 and 20/21 TT6m patients asymptomatic at final treatment completion.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing mild decompression sickness might benefit from shorter recompression schedules, potentially reducing time spent in hyperbaric chambers. This could lead to more efficient treatment and quicker return to daily activities for divers.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have direct Canadian relevance.
Study Limitations
The study's small sample size of 41 participants and single-center design limit the generalizability of its findings.