What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with 49 children aged 3 to 8 years with spastic cerebral palsy to determine if hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) improved gross motor function compared to hyperbaric air (HBA).
What They Found
Forty-six children were analyzed, and no changes in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores were observed from pre- to post-treatment in either the HBO or HBA group, nor were there differences between groups. Both groups showed statistically significant increases in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) scores, but again, no difference was found between the groups. The study was stopped early due to a low conditional probability (0.5% to 1.6%) of finding a difference if continued.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian children with cerebral palsy are unlikely to experience improved gross motor function from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This suggests that resources might be better directed towards therapies with demonstrated benefits for motor skill development.
Canadian Relevance
The study does not have a direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada or by Canadian researchers.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the early termination of the study, which, while based on statistical probability, meant the full planned sample size was not reached.