What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial to assess the side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 111 children with cerebral palsy.
What They Found
Among 111 children aged 3 to 12, 57 received hyperbaric oxygen at 1.75 atm abs and 54 received air at 1.3 atm abs over 8 weeks. Middle ear barotrauma was significantly higher in the HBO2 group (50%) compared to the control group (27.8%). No oxygen toxicity events were observed, and other adverse events were rare and similar between groups.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients considering hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cerebral palsy should be aware of the increased risk of middle ear barotrauma. This therapy did not show beneficial effects in this study, and potential risks should be carefully weighed against unproven benefits.
Canadian Relevance
This study involved Canadian researchers, indicating its direct relevance to the Canadian medical community.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its focus on short-term safety outcomes, lacking data on the long-term effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.