What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a double-blind trial on 84 multiple sclerosis patients, treating them with either hyperbaric oxygen at 2 atmospheres absolute or a placebo.
What They Found
The study found no clinically important or significant benefit in any of the four major outcome criteria, including patient opinion, examiner opinion, Kurtzke disability status scale score, or 50-meter walk time. Out of 40 other clinical variables assessed, only two (sensory scale and timed writing with the left hand) showed significant improvement, but without subjective clinical correlation.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with multiple sclerosis should be aware that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been shown to provide significant clinical benefit. Based on these findings, this treatment is not recommended for managing multiple sclerosis symptoms.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is the relatively short follow-up period of one month after treatment.