What Researchers Did
This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the feasibility of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for adults prescribed daily methadone for opioid use disorder to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms.
What They Found
Eight adults were randomized to either full-dose HBOT (100% oxygen at 2.0 ATA) or a sham condition (21% oxygen at ≤1.3 ATA) for two days. Participants receiving full-dose HBOT showed greater average improvements in all measured symptoms compared to the sham group, except for clinically observed withdrawal symptoms. The most significant positive effects were seen in pain intensity and drug craving measurements.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
If proven effective in larger studies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could potentially offer an additional treatment option for Canadian patients undergoing methadone treatment for opioid use disorder, helping to manage pain and drug cravings. This could improve adherence to treatment goals and overall quality of life for individuals struggling with opioid withdrawal.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have direct Canadian relevance at this time.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation of this pilot study is its very small sample size of eight participants, which limits the generalizability and statistical power of the findings.