What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial with 120 patients with chronic multiple sclerosis, comparing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to a placebo.
What They Found
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy did not objectively improve bowel/bladder function, alter disease progression, or change the rate of acute relapses in 120 patients. However, treated patients showed less deterioration in cerebellar function at one year, but also a significant reduction in visual evoked potential amplitude, suggesting potential oxygen toxicity.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with chronic multiple sclerosis, this study suggests hyperbaric oxygen therapy may not offer significant overall benefits for disease progression or relapse rates. Patients should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers, weighing potential limited functional improvements against risks like ocular side effects.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada or with Canadian participants.
Study Limitations
A limitation is that this study was conducted in 1987, meaning current diagnostic and treatment approaches for multiple sclerosis may differ significantly.