Hyperbaric-Oxygen Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Author(s): Marks, M., Reich, T.

Journal/Book: The New England Journal of Medicine. 1983; 308: 181-186.

Abstract: Several uncontrolled-studies have suggested a beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen on multiple sclerosis. V /e studied 40 patients with advanced chronic multiple sclerosis who were randomly divided into two matching groups. The experimental group received pure oxygen and the placebo group received a mixture of 10 per cent oxygen and 90 per cent nitrogen; both groups were treated at a pressure of 2 atmospheres absolute for 90 minutes once daily, for a total of 20 exposures. Objective improvement occurred in 12 of 17 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen and in 1 of 20 patients treated with placebo (p<o.oool). Improvement was transient in seven of the patients treated with oxygen and long-lasting in five. Those with less severe forms of the disease had a more favorable and lasting response. At one year of follow-up, deterioration was noticed in 2 patients (12 per cent) in the oxygen group, neither of whom had an initial response, and in 11 patients (55 per cent) in the placebo group, one of whom had a positive initial response (P<0.0008). Minor ear problems and reversible myopia were the only side effects observed. These preliminary results suggest a positive, though transient, effect of hyperbaric oxygen on advanced multiple sclerosis, warranting further study. This therapy cannot be generally recommended without longer follow-up periods and additional confirmatory experience.

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