What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a Medline search of 22 studies published between 1960 and 2007 to assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on tinnitus.
What They Found
Four prospective studies found no significant effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on tinnitus. Retrospective studies suggested greater improvement in acute cases (49-85%) compared to chronic cases (34-38%), and one study noted 60.3% improvement in patients with positive expectations versus 19% in those with negative expectations.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy for tinnitus should be aware that current evidence for its effectiveness is limited, particularly for long-standing cases. While some acute cases might see improvement, the psychological component and patient expectations appear to play a significant role in outcomes.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A key limitation is the lack of significant data from prospective studies, with much of the positive indication coming from retrospective analyses and influenced by psychological factors.