What Researchers Did
Researchers compared the lung function tests of 68 hyperbaric chamber inside attendants before and after their first exposure to a hyperbaric chamber.
What They Found
The study found a statistically significant decrease in mean forced vital capacity (FVC) by 3.4% (from 3.56 to 3.44) and mean forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) by 3.9% (from 3.37 to 3.24) after hyperbaric exposure. However, no significant changes were observed in the FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), or forced expiratory flow at 25%-75% of FVC (FEF25-75).
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
While some changes in lung function were observed, the study concluded that the clinical significance of these findings has not been established.