Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and middle ear barotrauma (MEB) are common reported complications during hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The investigators Phase I study data was the first to demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of symptomatic ETD and middle ear barotrauma (MEB). The Phase I Trial suggested the total time interval and rate (slope) of compression (ROC) may be a determining factor in ETD and MEB. This Phase II study investigates an optimal rate of compression to reduce ETD and MEB when considering each multiplace treatment (with multiple patients) as the unit of observation as a group, rather than for each individual patient.
Data will be collected prospectively on group patient-treatment exposures. The investigators will randomly assign patient-treatment group exposures to four different time interval and rate (slope) of compression. All patients, within every patient-treatment group exposure, received all 4 compression profiles (CP) on a rotating basis, in effect having patients serve as their own controls in a crossover design and to reduce the risk of treatment order on the effects observed. These compression rates and slopes were identical to those used in the Phase I trial. All patients experiencing symptoms of MEB requiring compression stops will be evaluated post-treatment for the presence of ETD and MEB using the O'Neill Grading System (OGS) for ETD/MEB.
For approximately 10 years, the investigators hyperbaric center used a routine daily multiplace chamber treatment protocol to a depth of 45 feet of seawater (fsw) (modified U.S. Navy Treatment Table 9). The chamber was compressed over a 10-minute time interval representing a 4.5 fsw/minute uniform rate of compression. This 4.5-fsw/minute linear rate (slope) of compression rate was maintained throughout the total 10-minute time interval of treatment and will be used as a baseline compression rate to compare all other compression schedules \[total compression time interval/compression rates (slopes)\]. The investigators will prospectively collect data on patient-treatment group exposures after formalizing four different compression schedules each including a unique combination of compression rate (slope) and time intervals of compression. This was similar to the Phase I study.
Data will be collected prospectively on all patients recruited and receiving treatment from February 11, 2019, and February 10, 2020, and combined with the data obtained in our Phase I trial collected from September 8, 2014 to September 8, 2016. This Phase II study defines the unit of observations as a multiplace patient-treatment group exposure rather than individual patient treatment exposures. This approach was considered appropriate as a treatment stop or hold in a multiplace chamber affects all other patient occupants in the same treatment group exposure.
To mitigate the risk of confounding, only the first stop will be used as the stop or hold indicator for that particular patient-treatment group exposure. Data will be collected on the patient(s) experiencing the stop or hold. All patients will undergo pre-treatment video otoscopy with baseline tympanic membrane (TM) photos and video of TM motion documenting the patients ability to equalize. This is used to assess potential Eustachian tube patency and proper equalization performance to help exclude individual patient technique as a confounding variable. Photos will be repeated at the end of treatment on any patient(s) complaining of symptoms referable to ETD/MEB that require a stop during compression.
Multiple stops for the same patient on the same treatment will not be considered. Only the first compression stop or hold during each treatment exposure will be recorded or assigned as a patient-treatment stop representing that particular patient-treatment group exposure. Compression stops will be made when any patient experiences difficulty equalizing (requests a stop or complains of ear discomfort of any type).
Repeat video otoscopy will be conducted on all patients complaining of symptoms referable to ETD or MEB to objectively document the grade of barotrauma at the end of the treatment. The OGS system will be used to record the severity of the ETD or MEB. The depth of the stop, the treatment number for that particular patient, and the actions taken to alleviate the symptoms during equalization will be recorded.
The depth of the compression stop will be recorded in feet of seawater (fsw) as will be the ascent (fsw) required for the patient to clear the middle ear pressure and relieve the symptoms. The patients symptoms must be resolved, rendering the patient asymptomatic and able to continue the treatment compression profile. All team members (physicians, nurses, and technicians) present and working on the day of the exposure, are responsible for viewing the patients pre and post tympanic membrane photos and determining the grade of barotrauma using the OGS criteria.
All stops were categorized under the respective compression protocol used for that particular patient-treatment group exposure. Data will then compared using both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis including the risk difference, odds ratio (OR), two-tailed Chi Square analysis using α=0.05, and outcomes will be studied separately in a logistic regression analysis.
