What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a long-term study on 312 multiple sclerosis patients, administering daily hyperbaric oxygen treatments for 20 days, followed by monthly boosters for up to two years, to assess disease progression.
What They Found
The study observed a high dropout rate, with only 76% (237 of 312 patients) completing the initial 20 treatments and 9% (28 of 312) finishing two years of booster therapy. Patients experienced a mean deterioration of 0.93 on the Kurtzke EDSS score, indicating almost a full step of worsening. Neither the time from symptom onset to treatment nor the treatment pressure influenced the outcome.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as administered in this protocol, may not prevent disease progression in multiple sclerosis patients. Canadian patients considering this treatment should be aware of the potential for limited efficacy and the significant commitment required for long-term adherence.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted nationally within the United States.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation of this study was the absence of a control group, which makes it difficult to definitively attribute observed outcomes to the hyperbaric oxygen treatment.