Improving Post COVID-19 Syndrome With Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments

What this study is about

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.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Age ≥ 18 years old
• Officially diagnosed with post COVID-19 condition by a healthcare practitioner
• At least three months since SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Symptoms that persist more than 12 weeks:
  • Chronic fatigue (must include) along with one of the following symptoms:
  • Difficulty thinking or problem solving ('brain fog')
  • Stress or anxiety

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Contraindications/medically unfit to receive hyperbaric treatments at an outpatient facility (pneumothorax, in-patients, requiring infusions to maintain hemodynamics, active and unstable coronary disease)
• Patients with cognitive difficulties and/or mental retardation before COVID diagnosis
• History of traumatic brain injury
• Unlikely to comply with follow-up assessments (e.g. no fixed address, plans to move out of town)
• Known pregnancy or planning a pregnancy in women of childbearing age

Where this trial is running

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Who to contact

Fahad Alam, MD · 416-480-4864 · fahad.alam@sunnybrook.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06082518.