What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a critical review to evaluate the potential rationale for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients experiencing Post COVID syndrome.
What They Found
The review highlighted that approximately 10% of 762 million global SARS-CoV-2 infections result in Post COVID syndrome, with 10-30% of outpatients and 50-70% of hospitalized patients experiencing long-term sequelae. It also noted that only 13% of infected individuals were completely symptom-free after recovery, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can increase dissolved oxygen levels in blood four times higher than normobaric application.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it is a critical review not conducted in Canada, nor does it specifically reference Canadian data or patients.
Study Limitations
As a critical review, this study's findings are limited by its reliance on existing literature and the potential for variability in the quality and methodology of the included studies.