What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomised multicentre trial involving 111 children with cerebral palsy to compare the efficacy and side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy versus slightly pressurized room air over 40 treatments.
What They Found
Both groups showed improvement in all outcomes over the study period, but there was no significant difference between hyperbaric oxygen and slightly pressurized room air treatments. Specifically, the global gross motor function measure increased by 3.0% in the pressurized air group and 2.9% in the hyperbaric oxygen group, with a mean difference of -0.40 (p=0.544). However, ear problems were significantly more common in the hyperbaric oxygen group, affecting 27 children compared to 15 in the control group (p=0.004).
Canadian Relevance
This multicentre randomised trial was conducted by Canadian researchers, making its findings directly relevant to clinical practice and healthcare decisions for children with cerebral palsy in Canada.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are specific to the hyperbaric oxygen protocol and age range investigated, which may limit generalizability to other treatment regimens or patient populations.