What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review to identify the benefits and harms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI).
What They Found
Two fair-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported conflicting results; one found no difference in mortality (48% HBOT vs 55% control) but significantly more young patients with brainstem contusion regained consciousness with HBOT (67% vs 11%, P<.03). The other RCT found a significant decrease in mortality with HBOT (17% vs 31%, P=.037) but an increase in severe disability, particularly for patients with intracranial pressure greater than 20 mmHg or a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 4 to 6.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Given the conflicting and limited evidence, the role of HBOT for TBI in Canadian patients remains unclear and requires further investigation. Patients and clinicians should carefully consider these inconsistent findings before adopting HBOT for TBI.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The main limitation was the conflicting results from only two fair-quality randomized controlled trials and the lack of strong evidence from five observational studies.