What Researchers Did
Researchers compared 45 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy receiving standard care to 45 patients who also received HBOT, measuring nerve function, blood flow, and biochemical markers.
What They Found
The HBOT group had significantly higher total treatment effectiveness scores (p<0.05). Nerve conduction velocity and peak blood flow in affected limbs improved more in the HBOT group. Levels of VEGF, bFGF, and SOD (beneficial healing and antioxidant markers) rose while MDA (an oxidative stress marker) fell more in HBOT patients. No pain or discomfort was reported during HBOT sessions.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians with diabetic neuropathy, a condition affecting an estimated 50% of people with long-standing diabetes, HBOT may improve nerve function and blood flow in affected limbs, potentially slowing the progression toward foot ulcers and amputation. The treatment was well-tolerated.
Canadian Relevance
Diabetic foot ulcers are an OHIP-covered HBOT indication in Ontario. This study supports the use of HBOT earlier in diabetic complications, at the neuropathy stage, though neuropathy alone is not yet a covered indication.
Study Limitations
This single-centre study lacks details on the specific HBOT protocol used (pressure, session length, number of sessions), making it difficult to replicate or compare against other trials.