Hyperbaric oxygen and multiple sclerosis: final results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. 1987

M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

The long term results are reported of a trial involving 120 patients with chronic multiple sclerosis who were randomised to receive either 100% oxygen at 2 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 90 minutes daily for 20 sessions or placebo therapy with air using a simulated compression procedure. The previous finding of subjective improvement in bowel/bladder function at the end of treatment was not confirmed by objective urodynamic assessment. The treatment did not alter disease progression as measured by the Kurtzke disability status scale nor did it alter the rate of acute relapse. There was less deterioration in cerebellar function at one year in the treated patients as measured by the Kurtzke functional systems scale. No other differences were found between the two groups. Psychometric tests and measurements of lymphocyte sub-populations showed no treatment related effects. Evoked potential studies showed no improvements but there was a significant reduction in amplitude of the visual evoked potential in the treated patients at the end of therapy. This might indicate a reversible degree of retinal damage induced by oxygen toxicity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009103 Multiple Sclerosis An autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young adults and characterized by destruction of myelin in the central nervous system. Pathologic findings include multiple sharply demarcated areas of demyelination throughout the white matter of the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations include visual loss, extra-ocular movement disorders, paresthesias, loss of sensation, weakness, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, and bladder dysfunction. The usual pattern is one of recurrent attacks followed by partial recovery (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, RELAPSING-REMITTING), but acute fulminating and chronic progressive forms (see MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE) also occur. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p903) MS (Multiple Sclerosis),Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Fulminating,Sclerosis, Disseminated,Disseminated Sclerosis,Sclerosis, Multiple
D010919 Placebos Any dummy medication or treatment. Although placebos originally were medicinal preparations having no specific pharmacological activity against a targeted condition, the concept has been extended to include treatments or procedures, especially those administered to control groups in clinical trials in order to provide baseline measurements for the experimental protocol. Sham Treatment
D011594 Psychometrics Assessment of psychological variables by the application of mathematical procedures. Psychometric
D001743 Urinary Bladder A musculomembranous sac along the URINARY TRACT. URINE flows from the KIDNEYS into the bladder via the ureters (URETER), and is held there until URINATION. Bladder,Bladder Detrusor Muscle,Detrusor Urinae,Bladder Detrusor Muscles,Bladder, Urinary,Detrusor Muscle, Bladder,Detrusor Muscles, Bladder
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005073 Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by stimulation along AFFERENT PATHWAYS from PERIPHERAL NERVES to CEREBRUM. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Potential, Somatosensory,Somatosensory Evoked Potential
D005074 Evoked Potentials, Visual The electric response evoked in the cerebral cortex by visual stimulation or stimulation of the visual pathways. Visual Evoked Response,Evoked Potential, Visual,Evoked Response, Visual,Evoked Responses, Visual,Potential, Visual Evoked,Potentials, Visual Evoked,Response, Visual Evoked,Responses, Visual Evoked,Visual Evoked Potential,Visual Evoked Potentials,Visual Evoked Responses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006931 Hyperbaric Oxygenation The therapeutic intermittent administration of oxygen in a chamber at greater than sea-level atmospheric pressures (three atmospheres). It is considered effective treatment for air and gas embolisms, smoke inhalation, acute carbon monoxide poisoning, caisson disease, clostridial gangrene, etc. (From Segen, Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992). The list of treatment modalities includes stroke. Oxygenation, Hyperbaric,Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy,Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapies,Hyperbaric Oxygenations,Oxygen Therapies, Hyperbaric,Oxygen Therapy, Hyperbaric,Oxygenations, Hyperbaric,Therapies, Hyperbaric Oxygen,Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen

Related Publications

M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
January 1983, The New England journal of medicine,
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
February 1986, British medical journal (Clinical research ed.),
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
September 1986, Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983),
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
September 1985, The Medical journal of Australia,
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
January 2007, Annals of neurology,
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
January 2002, Lancet (London, England),
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
January 1999, Proceedings of the Association of American Physicians,
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
June 1999, Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England),
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
February 1997, Neurology,
M P Barnes, and D Bates, and N E Cartlidge, and J M French, and D A Shaw
August 1982, Lancet (London, England),
Copied contents to your clipboard!