Hyperbaric Versus Normobaric Oxygen Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

October 29, 2021 updated by: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial of Hyperbaric Versus Normobaric Oxygen Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

At least 1 in 6 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital to receive extra oxygen will die of complications. In patients with COVID-19, invasive treatment such as mechanical ventilation (e.g. breathing with a machine) is associated with a 50% increased risk of death. Invasive treatments use a lot of healthcare resources in intensive care units and may lead to further deaths if patients do not have access to care.

The investigators aim to improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients by implementing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT allows patients to breathe 100% oxygen in a special chamber at a pressure higher than sea level. It is approved by Health Canada for 14 conditions. HBOT is safe when administered by experienced teams.

There are two main causes of death in severe COVID-19 respiratory infections: (i) a decreased diffusion of oxygen from the lungs to the blood and (ii) an increased inflammatory response (also called a "cytokine storm"). HBOT leads to increased oxygen level in blood, has strong anti-inflammatory effects, and may destroy the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease. The initial experience with HBOT and COVID-19 from China, France and the United States is promising in that it prevents further worsening of the condition and need for intensive care.

The investigators propose to test the effectiveness of HBOT for COVID-19 patients who are admitted to hospital to receive extra oxygen. Using the most rigorous and innovative research methods, this Canadian-led international study will operate at 5 centers across 3 countries (Canada: Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton; Switzerland: Geneva; UK: Rugby/London). The investigators anticipate that when treated by HBOT, COVID-19 patients needing extra oxygen to breathe will see significant health improvements as well as a decrease in complications, inflammation in the blood, need for invasive care, death, and cost of care.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
234

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Sylvain Boet, MD, PhD
  • Phone Number: 78187 613-737-8899
  • Email: sboet@toh.ca

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Joseph Burns, MSc
  • Phone Number: 14775 613-798-5555
  • Email: josburns@ohri.ca

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Ontario
      • Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Y4E9
        • Not yet recruiting
        • The Ottawa Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Sylvain Boet, MD, PhD
          • Phone Number: 78187 6137985555
          • Email: sboet@toh.on.ca
      • Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, M1E 5E9

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or non-pregnant female patients
  • Age ≥18 years
  • Confirmed COVID-19 positive by RT-PCR or another validated method
  • Diagnosed with pneumonia requiring 21%<FIO2≤100% to maintain saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) ≥90%
  • Able and willing to comply with study procedures and follow-up examinations contained within the written consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient clinical status felt to be incompatible with HBOT, e.g. respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation
  • Pregnancy, determined by a serum or urine test
  • Hemodynamic instability requiring vasopressors
  • Inability to maintain a sitting position during treatment
  • Inability to effectively understand and communicate with the hyperbaric operator, or to give consent
  • Inability to spontaneously equalize ears and refusal of myringotomies
  • Contraindications to HBOT (e.g. pneumothorax)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: HBOT
These patients will receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in addition to usual treatment for COVID-19. HBOT sessions will be 75 minutes in length at a pressure of 2.0 ATA.
Drug: Oxygen
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivered in a monoplace or multi-place chamber. Supervised by a hyperbaric oxygen therapy physician and a chamber operator.
No Intervention: Control
These patients will receive usual treatment for COVID-19, including oxygenation at normal atmospheric pressure (normobaric oxygenation).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
7-level COVID Ordinal Outcome Scale
Time Frame: Measured on Day 7
7-level scale based on patient's current status and need for oxygenation, also ability to resume normal activities (at higher levels). Range is 1-7. Higher number indicates better clinical outcome.
Measured on Day 7

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Length of hospital stay
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Measured in days
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Days with oxygen supplementation
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Number of days with oxygen supplementation
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Daily oxygen flow values required to obtain saturation values ≥90%,
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Measured in L/min
Duration of study (to Day 28)
ICU admission
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Yes/No
Duration of study (to Day 28)
ICU length of stay
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Measured in days, if applicable
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Days on invasive mechanical ventilation or high flow oxygenation
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Number of days on ventilator
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Major arterial and venous thrombotic events
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
e.g. stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Sleep quality
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Sleep Quality Scale, measured from 0 to 10. Higher number indicates worse sleep quality: 0 = "best possible sleep", 10 = "worst possible sleep". Capelleri et. al; Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2009: 7:54
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Fatigue
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Single-Item Fatigue Report Mark, measured from 1 to 10. Higher number indicates worse fatigue: 1 = "not at all", 10 = "extremely". van Hooff et al; J Occup Health 2007; 49:224-234.
Duration of study (to Day 28)
7-level COVID Ordinal Outcome Scale
Time Frame: Measured on Day 28
Same scale as the primary outcome; different timing as a secondary outcome. Range is 1-7. Higher number indicates better clinical outcome.
Measured on Day 28
Mortality
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Number of deaths
Duration of study (to Day 28)
Incidence of any adverse events related to HBOT
Time Frame: Duration of study (to Day 28)
Number of adverse events
Duration of study (to Day 28)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Climate Foundation

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Sylvain Boet, MD, PhD, The Ottawa Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 15, 2021

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 31, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 4, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 5, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 1, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 29, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
October 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • OHRI-HBOT-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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