Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. A clinical and electrophysiological study in a 2 year follow-up.
15 patients with chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis were treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at 2.0 atmospheres absolute for a total of 20 daily exposures followed by 2 exposures every month. The treatment was carried out for a 24 months follow-up. No objective benefit resulted from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at the completion of the study while a subjective improvement in bladder control was reported in the short and in the long-term follow-up by 8 and by 5 patients respectively. No significant variations in the electrophysiological results were observed after the first 20 consecutive exposures. It is concluded from this trial that a long-term Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment cannot moderate the progression of Multiple Sclerosis. However, an improvement in the quality of life can be obtained in some patients resulting from a better control of bladder function.
Meneghetti
G
G
Istituto di Neurologia, Università, Padova.
Spartà
S
S
Rusca
F
F
Facco
E
E
Martini
A
A
Comacchio
F
F
Schiraldi
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors