RCT Undersea Hyperb Med 2019

Adverse events and blinding in two randomized trials of hyperbaric oxygen for persistent post-concussive symptoms

Churchill S, Deru K, Weaver L, Wilson S, Hebert D, Miller R, et al. — Undersea Hyperb Med, 2019

View Original on PubMed PMID 31394602

Tier 1, Curated

Manually reviewed and included in the Canada Hyperbarics research database.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported safety monitoring data from two randomised double-blind HBOT trials involving 143 military personnel with post-concussive symptoms, receiving either HBOT at 1.5 ATA or sham at 1.2 ATA across 4,245 total chamber sessions.

What They Found

Adverse events were rare: 1.1% of sessions in HOPPS and 2.2% in BIMA. Minor barotrauma (ear pressure effects) was the most common complaint. No serious chamber-related adverse events occurred. The sham control successfully preserved blinding throughout both trials.

Canadian Relevance

No direct Canadian connection identified.

Study Limitations

The study population was entirely US military personnel; adverse event rates may differ in civilian populations with different health profiles or treatment protocols.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	RCT
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	31394602
Year Published	2019
Journal	Undersea Hyperb Med
MeSH Terms	Adult; Barotrauma; Brain Concussion; Double-Blind Method; Earache; Female; Headache; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Male; Military Personnel; Pilot Projects; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Random Allocation; Safety

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: March 19, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology