Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is not a routine MS treatment and there is little evidence to support its use for MS. However, some people have found MS to help manage and lessen some symptoms of MS, but there has been very limited research on this topic.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves sitting comfortably in a specialised chamber while breathing high-concentration oxygen through a facemask. During the session, the chamber is pressurised to around twice normal sea level pressure (2.0 ATA) for at least 60 minutes. The increased pressure helps the body absorb more oxygen, which may support the body’s natural healing processes.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a low-risk and simple procedure with few side effects and, although not a cure, may help improve the quality of life of patients with neurological diseases.
How HBOT Works
The high-pressure environment during HBOT helps increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, as red blood cells (haemoglobin) become saturated with oxygen, so the extra oxygen is carried by the blood plasma. Whether HBOT can help MS patients requires further research, but, over multiple sessions, it may lessen symptoms of neurological diseases, potentially including MS.
Benefits of HBOT
There is little robust clinical evidence (e.g. double blind random control trials) to support the use of HBOT for MS.
Better coordination:
Problems with balance are a common symptom in people with neurological diseases, and HBOT can improve movement and coordination in some patients.Reduced pain:
Chronic pain is a feature of many diseases and HBOT can ease the pain associated with several illnesses and conditions, possibly including MS.
Practical Considerations
At the moment, HBOT is not recognized as a treatment for MS and the clinical evidence for its benefits is limited. Some studies have shown that HBOT may relieve neurological symptoms, but these have been on different conditions. Some studies have indicated that HBOT may slow MS progression, but again further research is needed to support this position. It should be noted, however, that some studies did not show any effect of HBOT on MS at all.
Client Selection:
HBOT is a low-risk non-invasive therapy; however, not everyone is suitable for HBOT. Please see the FAQs here. All clients are required to complete a screening questionnaire before their first session and receive an introductory briefing. Where a client has a relative contraindication, clients must obtain a letter of referral from their doctor. Please note that OxyGeneration does not provide diagnostic services and is a service provider only. We strongly encourage all clients to consult with their medical team if they have any further questions. Please note that some health insurance providers may require a doctor’s referral before a claim can be processed, and many providers do not cover HBOT for MS.Treatment Protocols:
Treatments usually last 80 minutes per session (60 minutes at pressure, 10 minutes to compress and then decompress) and are conducted daily over several weeks. Every individual is different and we recommend consulting with your medical team. To help determine how many sessions each individual will require, new clients can speak with OxyGeneration staff prior to commencing their Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy.Monitoring Progress:
Regular assessments are crucial to track healing progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary..
For further information on the use of HBOT for Multiple Sclerosis, please visit our resources page by clicking the link below.