RCT The New England journal of medicine 1983

Hyperbaric-oxygen treatment of multiple sclerosis. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Fischer BH, Marks M, Reich T — The New England journal of medicine, 1983

View Original on PubMed PMID 6336824

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers conducted a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on 40 patients with advanced chronic multiple sclerosis to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

What They Found

Objective improvement was observed in 12 of 17 (71%) patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen compared to 1 of 20 (5%) patients receiving placebo (P < 0.0001). At one-year follow-up, deterioration occurred in 2 patients (12%) in the oxygen group versus 11 patients (55%) in the placebo group (P < 0.0008).

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

The study's preliminary nature, relatively small sample size, and need for longer follow-up periods limit the generalizability of its findings.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	RCT
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	6336824
Year Published	1983
Journal	The New England journal of medicine
MeSH Terms	Adult; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Placebos; Random Allocation

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology