What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated how hyperbaric oxygen therapy affected 68 patients aged 28-52 years with chronic obstructive bronchitis after they had received hospital treatment.
What They Found
Researchers found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved the general condition of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. It also normalized their body's free-radical lipid oxidation and antioxidant defense, improved bronchial permeability, and increased the sensitivity of beta-2 bronchial receptors. These improvements allowed patients to reduce or stop their sympathomimetic medications.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. The study was not conducted in Canada, and chronic obstructive bronchitis is not a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
This study was conducted on a relatively small group of 68 patients and the abstract does not specify if a control group was used for comparison.