Multiple sclerosis survivors swear by hyperbaric oxygen – but does it work?
“The benefits include improvements in mobility, bladder control, pain relief and gait.” There is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) yet. As a complex neurodegenerative disease of the brain, it is incredibly difficult to treat. Despite the development of...Clinical Trial – A Controlled Trial of the Clinical Effects of Hyperbaric Therapy in Autistic Children
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder currently affecting as many as 1 out of 166 children
in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with little
hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and behavioral
therapy; medical science currently has little to offer. Recent research has discovered that
some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to the brain, evidence of
gastrointestinal and brain inflammation, increased markers of oxidative stress, and a
relative mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can compensate for
decreased blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even
normalize oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT
has potent anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent
evidence demonstrates that HBOT increases the production of mitochondria and mobilizes stem
cells from human bone marrow, which may aid recovery in neurodegenerative diseases. Based
upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will improve symptoms in autistic
individuals.
Our recent retrospective case series demonstrated that HBOT may improve symptoms in autistic
children. We recently completed a prospective pilot trial using HBOT in 18 children which
demonstrated significant clinical improvements in autistic children on several standardized
scales. Most of the scales were parent-rated, although some were rated by teachers. However,
parents were not blinded to the fact that their children received HBOT and evaluation of the
children was through parent-rated scales, either of which could lead to bias. There was no
placebo or control group. Therefore, the improvements found in this prospective study could
have been due merely to chance or the natural development of the children. To determine if
HBOT improves symptoms in autistic children, a double-blind controlled study is needed.
Clinical Trial – Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Autistic Children: A Pilot Study
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that currently affects as many as 1 out of 166
children in the United States. Autism is considered by many to be a permanent condition with
little hope for improvement. Treatment for autism is centered on special schooling and
behavioral therapy; medical science currently has little to offer.
Recent research has discovered that some autistic individuals have decreased blood flow to
the brain, evidence of inflammation in the brain, and increased markers of oxidative stress.
Multiple independent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission
tomography (PET) research studies have revealed hypoperfusion to several areas of the
autistic brain, most notably the temporal regions and areas specifically related to language
comprehension and auditory processing. Several studies show that diminished blood flow to
these areas correlates with many of the clinical features associated with autism including
repetitive, self-stimulatory and stereotypical behaviors, and impairments in communication,
sensory perception, and social interaction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been used
with clinical success in several cerebral hypoperfusion syndromes including cerebral palsy,
fetal alcohol syndrome, closed head injury, and stroke. HBOT can compensate for decreased
blood flow by increasing the oxygen content of plasma and body tissues and can even normalize
oxygen levels in ischemic tissue. In addition, animal studies have shown that HBOT has potent
anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Furthermore, recent evidence
demonstrates that HBOT mobilizes stem cells from human bone marrow which may aid recovery in
neurodegenerative diseases. Based upon these findings, it is hypothesized that HBOT will
improve symptoms in autistic individuals.
The purpose of this study is to determine if HBOT improves clinical outcomes in children with
autism. The study will also determine if HBOT changes markers of inflammation and oxidative
stress in autistic children.