What Researchers Did
Researchers combined the results of 25 earlier studies to see whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps children with cerebral palsy.
What They Found
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials, covering 2,146 participants, found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy was associated with improvements across several measures compared to a control group. Gross motor function scores improved (standardized mean difference 0.29, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.51, p equals 0.009), and gross motor classification scores also improved (mean difference -0.40, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.27, p less than 0.00001). Global developmental level (Gesell scale) and developmental quotient scores were higher in the treated group, as were language expression and comprehension scores (all p less than 0.00001). The authors rated the certainty of evidence for all of these outcomes as very low using the GRADE system, and they described their own conclusion cautiously, stating that hyperbaric oxygen therapy "may produce" better results than the control condition.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The authors rated the quality of evidence for every outcome as very low under the GRADE framework, meaning the true effect could differ substantially from what was reported.