What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized 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).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian children with cerebral palsy are unlikely to benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy for improving gross motor function or other developmental outcomes. Given the lack of efficacy and increased risk of side effects like ear problems, patients and their families should explore other proven therapeutic interventions.
Canadian Relevance
This multicentre randomized 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.