Hyperbaric oxygen therapy ineffective in kids with cerebral palsy

There appears to be evidence suggesting that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) does not yield motor and cognitive benefits in children with cerebral palsy (CP), a recent study has found.

Drawing from the online databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, researchers retrieved five randomized controlled trials (RCT) for quantitative synthesis. Seven other observational studies were also included.

Two independent assessors, using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database assessment scale, found that four of the RCTs had high level of evidence. Meanwhile the observational studies were of low quality.

Pooled analysis of two RCTs showed that HBOT did not induce better motor outcomes, as measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure tool, as compared with a control intervention (mean difference [MD], 0.14, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –1.00 to 1.29). Similar outcomes were reported by the observational studies.

Similarly, qualitative syntheses did not find significant improvements in spasticity, cognitive function, sleep, and independence in HBOT-treated children as opposed with a control intervention.

In terms of safety, HBOT was associated with generally mild and infrequent adverse events. The most common side effects included seizures, confinement anxiety, nausea, and pulmonary disorders. However, the most common adverse event, middle-ear barotrauma, occurred significantly more commonly in the HBOT group than in controls (p=0.02).