In this single-center, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, prospective trial at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, the effects of 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) on post-concussion symptoms in 50 military service members with at least one combat-related, mild traumatic brain injury were examined. Each subject received 30 sessions of either a sham compression (room air at 1.3 ATA) or HBO₂ treatments at 2.4 ATA over an 8-week period. Individual and total symptoms scores on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT®) and composite scores on Post-traumatic Disorder Check List-Military Version (PCL-M) were measured just prior to intervention and 6 weeks after completion of intervention. Difference testing of post-intervention means between the sham-control and HBO₂ group revealed no significant differences on the PCL-M composite score (t=-0.205, p=0.84) or on the ImPACT total score (t=-0.943, p=0.35), demonstrating no significant effect for HBO₂ at 2.4 ATA. PCL-M composite scores and ImPACT total scores for sham-control and HBO(2) groups revealed significant improvement over the course of the study for both the sham-control group (t=3.76, p=0.001) and the HBO₂ group (t=3.90, p=0.001), demonstrating no significant HBO₂ effect. Paired t-test results revealed 10 ImPACT scale scores in the sham-control group improved from pre- to post-testing, whereas two scale scores significantly improved in the HBO₂ group. One PCL-M measure improved from pre- to post-testing in both groups. This study showed that HBO₂ at 2.4 ATA pressure had no effect on post-concussive symptoms after mild TBI.
Hyperbaric oxygen for post-concussion syndrome: design of Department of Defense clinical trials.
Abstract: The current wars in the Middle East have resulted in between 10-20% of U.S. service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). While anecdotal reports have associated hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) with improved outcomes after mTBI, controlled research is...
Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in severe head injury in children.
Abstract: A brain injury results in a temporary or permanent impairment of cognitive, emotional, and/or physical function. Predicting the outcome of pediatric brain injury is difficult. Prognostic instruments are not precise enough to reliably predict individual...
Brain tissue oxygen monitoring and hyperoxic treatment in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Abstract: Cerebral ischemia is a well-recognized contributor to high morbidity and mortality after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Standard of care treatment aims to maintain a sufficient oxygen supply to the brain by avoiding increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and...
Hyperbaric oxygenation improves locomotor ability by enhancing neuroplastic responses after cortical ablation in rats.
Abstract: To investigate whether hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) can improve the recovery of motor functions in rats after suction ablation of the right sensorimotor cortex. The experimental paradigm implies the following groups: Control animals (C), Control + HBO...
[Therapeutic efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen on traumatic brain injury in the rat and the underlying mechanisms].
Abstract: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the activation of astrocytes and the expression of glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). 54 male SD rats were...
[Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the expression of nitric oxide synthase mRNA in cortex after acute traumatic cerebral injury].
Abstract: To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA in cortex after acute traumatic cerebral injury, and to study the mechanism of HBO on brain injury. Acute traumatic brain injury model was...
Attenuating inflammation but stimulating both angiogenesis and neurogenesis using hyperbaric oxygen in rats with traumatic brain injury.
Abstract: Inflammation, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and gliosis are involved in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Several studies provide evidence supporting the neuroprotective effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in TBI. The aim of this study was to ascertain...
Tension pneumocephalus as a complication of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a patient with chronic traumatic brain injury.
Abstract: Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been accepted as a standard therapy for traumatic brain injuries, it has been used, along with rehabilitative exercises, for traumatic brain injuries, and the standard protocol has a low risk of complications. We...
Use of hyperbaric oxygen in traumatic brain injury: retrospective analysis of data of 20 patients treated at a tertiary care centre.
Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) related impact results in a permanent need for help in performing daily activities. Standard treatment consists of removing the cause, restore perfusion, support metabolic requirement and limit inflammatory and oxidative damage....