What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective, crossover, controlled trial involving 39 participants to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on blood glucose levels compared to a control session.
What They Found
Across all 39 participants, blood glucose levels significantly decreased during both hyperbaric oxygen treatment (from 7.27 to 6.71 mmol/L, P = 0.037) and control sessions (from 7.43 to 6.71 mmol/L, P = 0.004). However, the reduction in blood glucose did not significantly differ between the HBOT and control conditions (P = 0.59) for the overall group or any of the individual subgroups.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment should have their blood glucose levels monitored before and during sessions, especially if they have diabetes. While blood glucose may decrease, this study suggests the reduction is not uniquely attributable to hyperbaric oxygen itself, but rather a general response during the session.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation is that the study was open label, and the observed blood glucose decrease was not uniquely attributable to hyperbaric oxygen treatment.