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Hyperbaric oxygen for multiple sclerosis. Review of controlled trials
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|May 1, 1995
Summary
This review found limited evidence supporting hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). Most high-quality trials showed no clear benefits, leading to no recommendation for its use in MS treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oxygen Therapy Research
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been explored as a potential treatment for MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen in treating multiple sclerosis.
- To evaluate the quality of existing controlled trials on HBOT for MS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 14 controlled trials in multiple sclerosis.
- Methodological quality assessment of trials using predefined criteria.
- Analysis of outcomes including Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) and functional scores.
Main Results:
- Eight trials met reasonable to high-quality standards.
- Only one high-quality trial favored hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
- No consistent positive effects were demonstrated across most trials for MS patients.
Conclusions:
- The majority of controlled trials do not support the efficacy of HBOT for multiple sclerosis.
- Current evidence does not warrant recommending hyperbaric oxygen for MS treatment.
- Further research is unlikely to strengthen the case for HBOT in MS.