What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed all available animal and human research on using HBOT to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI), examining how it works at the cellular level and how it performs in clinical settings.
What They Found
In animal models, HBOT consistently reduced cell death, inflammation, and tissue damage after SCI by promoting oxygen delivery and new blood vessel growth. Human clinical studies showed some functional improvement, but the best timing, pressure, and number of sessions have not yet been established.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Approximately 86,000 Canadians currently live with SCI, with around 4,300 new injuries each year. HBOT is not currently a standard SCI treatment, but this review highlights its potential as an add-on therapy that could help limit long-term disability if started early after injury.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The review notes that human clinical trials are small and inconsistent in their HBOT protocols, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about optimal treatment parameters.