What Researchers Did
Researchers prospectively analyzed pulmonary functions in 88 patients undergoing 60 daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions to evaluate the therapy's effect.
What They Found
After 60 HBOT sessions, there were no significant changes in FEV1 (p=0.163) or FEV1/FVC ratio (p=0.953). While FVC (0.1 ± 0.38 l, p=0.014) and PEF (0.5 ± 1.4 l, p=0.001) showed statistically significant increases, these changes were not considered clinically relevant.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing similar hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocols can be reassured that their pulmonary function is unlikely to be significantly impacted. This suggests that HBOT can be safely administered without major adverse effects on lung capacity or airflow.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings may be limited by the specific HBOT protocol used and the lack of a control group for comparison.