What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate if a portable hyperbaric chamber could effectively treat acute mountain sickness in climbers at high altitude.
What They Found
One hour of treatment in a portable hyperbaric chamber at 193 mbar caused greater short-term relief of acute mountain sickness symptoms compared to a control treatment or bed rest. However, during the 12-hour follow-up, symptom scores improved in all groups with no significant differences, and analgesic intake was similar (58-80% of subjects in each group).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians who experience acute mountain sickness, this study suggests that a portable hyperbaric chamber could offer quick, temporary relief of symptoms. However, the benefits of this pressurization treatment appear to be short-lived, meaning sustained improvement may require other interventions or continued descent.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study found that the short-term symptom improvement from pressurization did not translate into beneficial long-term effects.