title: Hyperbaric oxygen and multiple sclerosis: short-term results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.
abstract: In a study of 120 patients with chronic multiple sclerosis the effects of treatment with 100% oxygen at 2 atmospheres absolute for 90 min daily for a total of 20 exposures were compared with those of normal air at normal pressure for a similar length of time within the same compression chamber. No patient in either group showed any improvement on the Kurtzke disability status scale. 12 of 51 patients in the hyperbaric-oxygen group and 3 of 47 control patients improved on the Kurtzke functional systems scale on the subjective bowel/bladder parameter only. Such a degree of improvement can also be achieved with medication for urinary symptoms, but none of the patients in this study received such medication. The short-term results of this trial do not support the claims made for hyperbaric oxygen in the management of multiple sclerosis.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Cartlidge
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors