Pilot study of H2 therapy in Parkinson's disease: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Relevant conflicts of interest/financial disclosures: Nothing to report. Full financial disclosures and author roles may be found in the online version of this article.
Abstract
Background
Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent studies have confirmed that molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as a highly effective antioxidant in cultured cells and animal models. Drinking H2-dissolved water (H2-water) reduced oxidative stress and improved Parkinson's features in model animals.
Methods
In this a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical pilot study, the authors assessed the efficacy of H2-water in Japanese patients with levodopa-medicated PD. Participants drank 1,000 mL/day of H2-water or pseudo water for 48 weeks.
Results
Total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores in the H2-water group (n=9) improved (median, −1.0; mean±standard deviation, −5.7±8.4), whereas UPDRS scores in the placebo group (n=8) worsened (median, 4.5; mean±standard deviation, 4.1±9.2). Despite the minimal number of patients and the short duration of the trial, the difference was significant (P<0.05).
Conclusions
The results indicated that drinking H2-water was safe and well tolerated, and a significant improvement in total UPDRS scores for patients in the H2-water group was demonstrated. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
