Summary of Study
The study “Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial” aimed to evaluate whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) improves motor skills and overall functionality in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Researchers examined if 40 HBOT sessions could enhance gross motor function and other skills, including attention, memory, and speech, and whether improvements lasted three months after treatment. The study also sought to determine if HBOT offered benefits over slightly pressurized air treatments.
Methodology
Researchers randomly assigned 111 children aged 3 to 12 years with CP to two hyperbaric chamber groups: one received hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 1.75 atmospheres, while the other received slightly pressurized air at 1.3 atmospheres. Both treatments lasted one hour, five days a week, over eight weeks. Assessments of gross motor function and other abilities were conducted at the start, during, and after the treatment, and again three months later. The researchers ensured the study was double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the assessors knew which treatment was administered.
Results
Both groups showed significant improvements in gross motor function and other skills, such as attention, memory, and functional independence. However, no meaningful differences emerged between the HBOT and pressurized air groups. Ear problems occurred more often in the HBOT group. Despite positive changes in both groups, HBOT did not outperform slightly pressurized air treatments.
Conclusion
This trial suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers no distinct advantage over slightly pressurized air in treating children with cerebral palsy. Improvements seen in both groups may stem from participation, motivation, and the structured intervention environment. More research is necessary to explore the effects of pressure levels and other influencing factors.
Source: Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial | Jean-Paul Collet, Michel Vanasse, Pierre Marois, Maxime Amar, Joanne Goldberg, Jean Lambert, Maryse Lassonde,
Paule Hardy, Josée Fortin, Stéphane D Tremblay, David Montgomery, Jacques Lacroix, Ann Robinson, Annette Majnemer, and the HBO-CP Research Group | Lancet 2001; 357: 582–86