As a leading authority in the field of hyperbaric medicine and a past-president of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, I was stunned by the article about Restorix Health of Issaquah and their new hyperbaric medicine enterprise. It indicates that the free-standing facility in a suburban medical office building intends to lead the country in research on traumatic brain injury and other conditions for which hyperbaric therapy is unproven.
Story raises concerns about research
A recent article about Restorix states that “Until now, there haven’t been many opportunities for hyperbaric research because oxygen can’t be patented.”
Clinical research does not need to be funded only by those who stand to gain financially from the outcome, such as pharmaceutical companies. That is why the National Institutes of Health and other federal and local granting agencies exist. Contrary to the article, research in the field of hyperbaric medicine is extremely active worldwide. Over 1500 scientific articles on hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been published in the medical literature in the last five years.
I am very confused by the statement that “research could also prove itself to be profitable for business.” A convincing clinical trial requires randomization of subjects to treatment and control arms with subsequent comparison of outcomes. It will also cost several hundred thousand dollars to be properly designed and require years to conduct. Since it is felt to be unethical to charge research subjects for medical treatment of unknown effectiveness, where will all this funding come from?
For such a trial to be successful, it requires direction by those with extensive research experience. The company website lists two physicians to be involved. It states that Dr. Tommy Love “has published numerous research articles,” yet a Pub Med search reveals only three publications of his in the last 40 years. Similarly, I am only able to identify three publications for Dr. Latisha Smith.
I am skeptical that the Restorix Foundation will be capable of underwriting the expense of quality research in hyperbaric medicine, as I would be about most foundations in this country. My strongest hope is that they do not plan to charge patients for experimental treatment.
Neil B. Hampson, MD, Past President, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Anthem, Ariz.
