Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Knee Arthritis Pain Relief in Seniors
- Authors
- Chenhui Wang, Mengwei Yan, Yuru Li, Lei Han, Hongqian Wang, Shufeng Jia, Xingchen Liu, Yang Liu, Fan Wu, Baoguo Wang
- Journal
- Frontiers in Pharmacology
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3389/fphar.2025.1505922
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
TL;DR
Breathing in a mix of hydrogen and oxygen gas slightly improved knee arthritis symptoms and function in the short term for elderly patients doing home exercises, but the benefits didn't last.
Key Finding
While hydrogen-oxygen inhalation provided short-term symptom relief during the first 2 weeks, it did not produce sustained benefits or outperform home-based exercise alone over the full 12-week study period.
Summary
This study tested whether breathing a hydrogen-oxygen mixture could help older adults with knee osteoarthritis (a condition where joint cartilage breaks down) when combined with home exercise. Researchers divided 121 elderly patients into two groups: one that did home exercises plus 60 minutes daily of hydrogen-oxygen inhalation for 2 weeks, and another that did home exercises alone for 12 weeks. Both groups improved significantly in pain and function, but the hydrogen-oxygen group did not show better results than exercise alone, and any benefits from the gas treatment faded after the initial 2 weeks.
Practical Takeaway
This small study in elderly patients suggests hydrogen-oxygen inhalation may offer temporary relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms, but the effect appears to be short-lived and not superior to exercise. The most significant improvement came from the home exercise program itself, which both groups completed. Anyone considering hydrogen-oxygen therapy should prioritize consistent exercise and discuss this with their healthcare provider, as the evidence for long-term benefit remains limited.
Abstract
Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint condition, leading to disability and diminished quality of life. Molecular hydrogen has been proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but few studies have investigated its effects on osteoarthritis. Our study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of hydrogen-oxygen mixture (H2-O2) inhalation for KOA. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, eligible elderly KOA patients were randomly assigned to either Group H or Group C. Both groups participated in a 12-week home-based exercise (HBE) program, which included knee-joint exercises and health education. Group H additionally received H2-O2 inhalation for 60 min per day over 2 weeks, while Group C did not. The primary outcome was measured using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes included inflammation levels (hs-CRP, NLR, PLR, LMR), Chair Stand Test (CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), Exercise Adherence Rating Scale (EARS), and adverse events. Results: A total of 121 subjects were enrolled, with an average age of 81.2 years, and 80.2% were female. The between-group mean difference in the WOMAC total score was -5.2 (95% CI -12.1 to 1.7, P = 0.140) at week 12, with Group H showing an improvement of -22.9 (95% CI -26.3 to -19.6, P < 0.001) and Group C showing an improvement of -19.4 (95% CI -22.7 to -16.0, P < 0.001) compared to baseline, revealing a significant group × time interaction (F (3, 356.034) = 14.425, P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between both groups at week 12 in CST, TUG, SF-36 scores, EARS scores, or the incidence of adverse events. Conclusion: Although clinical significance was not achieved, H2-O2 inhalation alleviated KOA symptoms and enhanced functional activity in elderly patients undergoing the HBE program during the initial 2 weeks. However, its sustained effects on improving KOA symptoms were not observed.