What Researchers Did
This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) by analyzing existing randomized controlled trials.
What They Found
Researchers identified nine trials involving 504 participants comparing HBOT to sham therapy for multiple sclerosis. While two trials reported generally positive results, the remaining seven found no evidence of a treatment effect. Only three out of 21 analyses indicated some benefit, such as a mean reduction of 0.85 points in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at 12 months in the HBOT group, though this specific outcome was only reported by 16% of participants.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with multiple sclerosis, this review suggests that there is no consistent evidence to support the widespread use of HBOT as an effective treatment. While some individual studies showed minor improvements, the majority of trials did not find a significant benefit. Patients should discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers, considering the lack of consistent evidence for HBOT in MS.
Canadian Relevance
Multiple Sclerosis is a Health Canada-recognized indication, but HBOT for MS is not a Health Canada-approved use. This study does not have direct Canadian authors or a Canadian study location.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation is the inconsistency across trials, with most showing no benefit and the few positive results not being consistently explained or widely reported.