What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed published, peer-reviewed prospective and controlled clinical trials on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for mild to moderate traumatic brain injury/persistent postconcussion syndrome (mTBI/PPCS) symptoms.
What They Found
This review found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is effective for mTBI/PPCS symptoms, with therapeutic effects demonstrated in 5 out of 5 peer-reviewed clinical trials. Doses of oxygen at ≥21% O2 and pressures >1.0 ATA improved baseline measures. The authors also noted that pressurized air controls (1.2-1.3 ATA) are therapeutically active and bias results.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A key limitation identified is that many existing clinical trials for HBOT use active pressurized air as a sham control, which can bias results.