What Researchers Did
Researchers ran a randomized controlled trial with 101 Long COVID patients, testing four different combinations of oxygen levels and chamber pressure across 10 sessions to see which, if any, improved symptoms.
What They Found
After treatment, there were no significant differences in quality of life scores, 6-minute walking test results, or five cognitive test scores between any of the four groups, including the placebo group breathing regular air at normal pressure. Some patients in the placebo group reported feeling better, but this was not confirmed by objective tests. No subgroup of patients responded better to any treatment.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadians paying out of pocket for HBOT to treat Long COVID should be aware that this well-designed trial found no measurable benefit over a placebo. The highly variable responses seen, even in the placebo group, suggest many self-reported improvements may not reflect genuine physiological change.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. Long COVID is not an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT.
Study Limitations
The study used only 10 sessions, which is fewer than protocols used in some positive Long COVID studies, and may not reflect longer treatment courses.