What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 82 patients with chronic stable multiple sclerosis to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
Forty-one patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy, while 41 control patients received a placebo (air) over 20 daily treatments and 7 boosters. No significant differences were observed between groups in disability scores, functional scores, magnetic resonance imaging, or evoked potentials, indicating hyperbaric oxygen therapy was not effective.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with chronic stable multiple sclerosis should be aware that hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been shown to be an effective treatment. Therefore, current evidence does not support its use for managing this condition.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada nor involved Canadian researchers or participants.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is that it focused solely on patients with chronic stable multiple sclerosis, and the technology used for imaging and evoked potentials reflects the standards of 1986.