In this Research Rundown we introduce Tom Fox. Tom Fox has worked in the HBOT field for the last 30 years, and is the Research Physiologist for the Hyperbaric Institute for Research and Training, a division of Island Hyperbaric Centre, and the Safety Director for Extivita-RTP.
Highlights:
- Tom touches on a research article from 1989, “Clinically observed reduction of spasticity in patients with neurological diseases and in children with cerebral palsy from hyperbaric oxygen therapy“. Over 20 years ago, this particular research lit a fire under Tom’s wife to treat her twins with Cerebral Palsy with HBOT. She took them to England for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments under the prestigious Professor Philip James.
- This particular 1989 HBOT research on Cerebral Palsy took place in Brazil; and states in the results, “We found that in 218 (94.78%) patients, there was a clear reduction of spasticity”. “12 patients (5.21%) remained practically unchanged. There were extremely severe cases, with sever cerebral atrophy on CAT-Scan.”
- Tom stresses that HBOT for CP (Cerebral Palsy) is not a cure, but it is a way to help someone gain independence and to improve their quality of life.
- One of his step-sons benefited greatly from HBOT, and was able to step away from the wheelchair at age 4 and has never been back.
- The other step-son was more seriously affected by CP. But, HBOT still helped tremendously. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy gave him the ability to speak in sentences (after only the first treatment!), and gain trunk control so at the age of 4 he was able to sit up independently and feed himself for the first time.
- Both children are now 27, have had numerous HBOT treatments, and live independent lives.
- This particular 1989 Brazilian study by JJ Machado paved the way for the next series of events that Tom touches on, and will talk more in depth about in the next Research Rundown episode; his family’s personal involvement with McGill University and Dr. Collet’s study, “Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial“.