Muscle injury Trials in Disease

Study on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Acute Hamstring Injury in Athletes and Military Personnel

This clinical trial is investigating whether Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help athletes and military personnel recover more quickly from acute hamstring injuries. An acute hamstring injury is a sudden strain or tear in the muscles at the back of the thigh, which often happens during activities like sprinting, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. These injuries typically cause sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty moving.

The treatment being studied involves breathing pure oxygen in a special pressurized chamber. This is believed to help injuries heal faster by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can reduce swelling and promote tissue repair. The trial uses two forms of medical-grade oxygen called Conoxia, which participants breathe in during treatment sessions.

Main inclusion criteria:

• Participants must be between 18 and 65 years old
• They must have a clinical diagnosis of an acute hamstring injury that occurred 7 days ago or less
• The injury must have happened suddenly and cause pain in the back of the thigh, pain when touching the muscle, pain when lifting the leg straight while lying down, and increased pain when contracting the muscle
• Participants must be able to start the therapy within 7 days of their injury
• They must sign an informed consent form showing they understand and agree to participate

Main exclusion criteria:

• People who do not have an acute hamstring injury
• Those outside the specified age range
• Individuals who are not athletes or military personnel
• People who cannot safely undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Individuals who belong to vulnerable populations requiring special protection

Trial focus and goals: The main goal of this study is to measure how quickly participants can return to their sports or military duties after receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy compared to standard care. Participants will undergo seven daily treatment sessions in a pressurized chamber where they breathe pure oxygen.

The researchers will track several aspects of recovery, including pain levels at rest and during activities like sprinting, flexibility and strength of the hamstring muscles, and MRI imaging results. They will also monitor for any re-injuries at 2 months and 12 months after participants return to their activities, and watch for any side effects during the treatment period.

Investigational treatment: The treatment being tested is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. The increased oxygen levels in the blood are thought to speed up healing by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. This therapy is administered at specialized facilities over seven daily sessions.