What Researchers Did
Researchers studied 54 brain injury patients and 11 healthy individuals to explore how hyperbaric oxygen therapy affected β2-microglobulin levels in their blood and urine.
What They Found
Before hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), brain injury patients had significantly higher levels of β2-microglobulin in their blood and urine compared to healthy controls. In patients with conscious disturbance, blood β2-microglobulin levels were higher than in those without, both before and after HBOT. Urine β2-microglobulin levels in the conscious disturbance group were negatively correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale scores (R=-0.351).
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study involved a relatively small number of participants, which may limit the generalizability of its findings.