Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - Hyperbaric Chamber Information ...

Table 46 Major outcomes following treatment for crush injuries in intervention and comparison groups
(Bouachour et al). 86
Outcome
Intervention Group
(n = 18)
Comparison
Group (n = 18)
Complete healing without necrosis requiring surgery (n) 17 10 0.0180
Number of patients with new surgical procedures (n) 1 6 0.0880
Healing time (days) 50.2 (21.1)* 55.8 (19.9) 0.4184
Length of hospitalisation (days) 22.4 (12.4) 22.9 (16.3) 0.9181
* Figures in parentheses are standard deviations.
The authors found that a statistically significantly greater proportion of HBOT subjects
experienced complete healing of lesions without necrosis compared to those given the
placebo therapy.
Summary
This study found that exposure to HBOT benefited patients with crush injuries of the
lower limbs, although this benefit was mainly reported in terms of decreasing surgical
interventions rather than decreased healing time. Studies examining a broader range of
outcomes in larger populations are required to generate firmer and more generalisable
conclusions.
Cluster and migraine headaches
The effectiveness of HBOT for migraine and cluster headaches is discussed below.
Cluster headaches
Two studies were identified that met inclusion criteria for this indication (Table 47). Both
of these were comparative studies conducted in the same institute in Italy. The study
populations were similar in size. There was a preponderance of male participants.
Table 47 Descriptive characteristics of included studies focusing on the use of HBOT in cluster
headaches.*
First Author and
Year
of Publication
DiSabato 1997 88
DiSabato 1996 89
NHMRC
Level
III-2
III-2
Study Design Location
Comparative
study
Comparative
study
Dates of
Enrolment Size
Italy ? ‡ 14
Italy ? 14
Characteristics of Study Population †
Age
Mean (SD)
I=34.0 (2.2) §
C=41.3 (2.6)
I=41.8 (3.7) #
C=42.3 (5.2)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 51
p
Sex Ratio
(M:F)
14:0
I=5:2
C=5:2
* Abbreviations: C = comparison group, F = female, I = intervention group, M = male, SD = standard deviation.
† Information is given for total study population values, and intervention and comparison groups.
‡ Unstated, unclear, or unknown.
§ Figures in parentheses are standard errors.
# Figures in parentheses are assumed to be standard deviations. Authors did not provide enough information for a definite conclusion.
Study quality
A description of important methodologic characteristics of the two studies appears in
Table 48. Neither study employed randomisation, both were comparative in nature. The