What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective controlled study of 68 elite Russian athletes with abnormal ECG T-wave changes, comparing normoxic barotherapy (mild hyperbaric air at 0.3 atm above ambient with 30% oxygen) alone, combined with external counterpulsation (EECP), or neither.
What They Found
ECG improvement was seen in 68% of the normoxic barotherapy group, 80% of the combined treatment group, and 57% of controls. The combined group also showed improved aerobic endurance. This study used normoxic barotherapy rather than standard high-pressure HBOT.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. The treatment protocol described does not correspond to Canadian hyperbaric clinical standards.
Study Limitations
The study uses a non-standard treatment protocol not typical of clinical HBOT; the control group received metabolic drugs, making it difficult to isolate the effect of barotherapy.