Head Versus Heart: Do Passions Fuel Good MS Science or Drive Unrealistic Hopes?

This study will add steroid therapy to the use of high-pressure oxygen to examine its result on recovery from MS attacks. The current science on HBOT and multiple sclerosis stands as below: “HBOT is not a cure, but there is evidence to suggest some symptomatic benefit in a majority of patients and apparent stabilization or slowing of progression in a significant fraction (17 to 33%) of those who receive continuing therapy over a period of 10 years or longer. HBOT in MS has few side effects, mostly minor.”  -Richard A. Neubauer, M.D., Virginia Neubauer, and Sheldon F. Gottlieb, Ph.D. (Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons Volume 10 Number 4 Winter 2005). In the press release about the study (which is currently recruiting 30 MS patients who are able to get to Stony Brook soon after a relapse), Cure MS Foundation founder, Filomena Lombardi–who was first diagnosed with MS over 17 years ago–states “The FDA has approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of a number of health conditions such as radiation injury, diabetic wounds, and carbon monoxide poisoning; however, it has not approved it for the treatment of MS. Hopefully, this study will help reverse that.” Now, I’ve been given flak for being a bit picky on my research clarity preferences before.  I sure would be more comfortable with a study if the quote had been “Hopefully this study will give us clear scientific answers” or “increase our understanding” or, perhaps “find ou...
Source: Life with MS - Category: Other Conditions Authors: Tags: MS multiple sclerosis MS treatment multiple sclerosis clinical trials research Source Type: blogs