What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute, subacute, or chronic stroke.
What They Found
The review identified only four randomised controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial. The best available evidence from these trials indicated no benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke patients. Additionally, 17 observational studies were found, all of which were deemed to be of poor quality.
Canadian Relevance
This systematic review did not include any specific Canadian data or patient populations.
Study Limitations
The generalizability of the findings is limited due to significant variability in patient characteristics, stroke types, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy dosages across the included studies, and the poor quality of observational studies.