What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized, sham-controlled, double blind trial to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on 73 patients experiencing persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms for at least three months.
What They Found
Following 40 sessions of HBOT, patients showed significant improvements in global cognitive function (d=0.495, p=0.038), attention (d=0.477, p=0.04), and executive function (d=0.463, p=0.05). Significant improvements were also observed in energy (d=0.522, p=0.029), sleep (d=-0.48, p=0.042), psychiatric symptoms (d=0.636, p=0.008), and pain interference (d=0.737, p=0.001). These clinical outcomes were associated with significant improvements in brain MRI perfusion and microstructural changes.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be a potential treatment option for Canadian patients experiencing persistent neurocognitive and other symptoms of post-COVID condition. It offers hope for improving quality of life for those struggling with long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its relatively small sample size and the need for further research to confirm these findings in larger, more diverse populations.