Improving Post COVID-19 Syndrome With Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Class III medical device).: 40 hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatments (90 minute exposures at 2 atmospheres (ATM) per treatment), scheduled daily from Monday to Friday (i.e., 5 treatments per week) until treatments are completed (approximately 8 weeks). Treatments will be delivered in a medical grade, Health Canada-approved monoplace hyperbaric chamber and overseen by specialist hyperbaric physicians and a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist. Device is being used in manner consistent with approved usage in Canada.

Study summary

Over 500 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and to date, more than 6 million people have died. Many individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms even after they have been "cured" of the disease. This condition is known as post COVID-19 condition, which can have serious health consequences. A common symptom among these individuals is chronic fatigue, characterized by persistent tiredness or lack of energy. This study aims to explore a novel treatment for symptoms of post COVID-19 condition, known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This approach has shown promise in helping people with post COVID-19 conditions and treating some other causes of fatigue.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing patients in a small chamber where they receive high oxygen gas levels. However, this treatment is expensive and time-consuming, and it is unclear if this treatment can be effectively assessed in a large-scale research study. This small study will help us decide if conducting a large research study is feasible. The investigators aim to assess if hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve symptoms of post COVID-19 condition, such as fatigue.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Recruitment rate - referral — 9 months
  Quantify referral rate from healthcare providers
• Recruitment rate - inclusion — 9 months
  Number of patients meeting inclusion criteria
• Recruitment rate - consent — 9 months
  Patient consent rate
• Adherence to HBOT protocol — 9 months recruitment + 8 weeks treatment
  Number of Participants received minimum 4 treatments per week with \>35 treatments
• Adherence to HBOT protocol - satisfaction — After last HBOT treatment and at 12 month follow-up
  Subjective patient satisfaction questionnaire inquiring about HBOT experience, barriers to and promoters of treatment
• Feasibility of Clinical Outcome Measures — Up to 1 year after start of treatment
  Feasibility of implementation of clinical outcome scales (PDQ, FSS, SF-36) to be completed at the time of enrollment (baseline), start of treatment (if starting 60 days after enrollment), 4 weeks after the start of treatment, and every 2 months from the first HBOT treatment for 1 year.

Trial sites (1)

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