128 – Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a cure-all?

While it is proven to be lifesaving in carbon monoxide poisoning, is there any evidence that hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps with cerebral palsy, autism, long covid, migraines and many other conditions? Can HBOT be both a valid medical therapy and a pseudoscience? Guest co-host Pedro Mendes joins Dr. Chris Labos to parse out fact from fiction. Bonus points if you know the one condition where hyperbaric oxygen therapy is strictly contra-indicated.

 

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Editor:    Robyn Flynn

Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl

Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos

Chris’ book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer

 

Obviously, Chris not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.

References:

 

1. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Health Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/medical-information/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy.html

 

2. Chris’ article on hyperbaric oxygen therapy: https://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/article560792.html

 

3. Recent child’s death

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/clinic-death-raises-questions-about-oxygen-therapy-2025a10003wa?ecd=wnl_tp10_daily_250216_MSCPEDIT_etid7230220&uac=207389HY&impID=7230220

 

4. Trauma

Bouachour G, Cronier P, Gouello JP, Toulemonde JL, Talha A, Alquier P. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of crush injuries: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Trauma. 1996 Aug;41(2):333-9. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199608000-00023. PMID: 8760546.

 

5. Burns

Brannen AL, Still J, Haynes M, Orlet H, Rosenblum F, Law E, Thompson WO. A randomized prospective trial of hyperbaric oxygen in a referral burn center population. Am Surg. 1997 Mar;63(3):205-8. PMID: 9036884.

 

6. Radiation injury

Lin ZC, Bennett MH, Hawkins GC, Azzopardi CP, Feldmeier J, Smee R, Milross C. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for late radiation tissue injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Aug 15;8(8):CD005005. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005005.pub5. PMID: 37585677; PMCID: PMC10426260.

 

7. Chronic wounds:

Kranke P, Bennett MH, Martyn-St James M, Schnabel A, Debus SE, Weibel S. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jun 24;2015(6):CD004123. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004123.pub4. PMID: 26106870; PMCID: PMC7055586.

 

8. Cerebral palsy

Collet JP, Vanasse M, Marois P, Amar M, Goldberg J, Lambert J, Lassonde M, Hardy P, Fortin J, Tremblay SD, Montgomery D, Lacroix J, Robinson A, Majnemer A. Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial. HBO-CP Research Group. Lancet. 2001 Feb 24;357(9256):582-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)04054-x. PMID: 11558483.