In this Research Rundown, we examine a NBIRR, National Brain Injury Rescue Rehabilitation, study focused on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain injuries. We heard a lot about this study from Dr. Beckman, who continues to be instrumental in working to overcome the roadblocks that exist within the veteran community about the use of HBOT.
Highlights:
- The study was a multi-center study that overall included 32 patients.
- The study is very conclusive from the standpoint that hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain injuries is both safe and effective.
- There was no outside funding beyond the culmination of the group who got involved to create this study.
- This study was the beginning of this group’s effort to present the facts on HBOT for mTBI with post-concussive symptoms.
- The study was released in 2019, roughly 11 years after this particular group met.
- ANAM test scores were used to evaluate patients before and after the HBOT sessions.
- Insomnia decreased significantly, as well as depression, anger, fatigue, and anxiety.
- There’s also a positive increase – happiness and vigor increased.
- The neurocognitive test scores of subjects improved in 21 of 25 patients.
- This study uses 1.5 atmospheric pressure. We are at 1.0 pressure at sea level, so it is being increased by 50% at the multiple clinics used to treat the patients in this study.
- There is no pride in ownership of the facilities, all patients in this study are getting the same pressure no matter what clinic they visit.
- The CARES Act promotes alternative therapies to veterans; and this study clearly states that it provides the “real world” evidence that the CARES Act requires in order for a drug or therapy to be approved for use. However, as the qualifications and requirements continue to change for a therapy/drug to be accepted, more and more roadblocks keep being put in the way for studies to be accepted, and for veterans to get the treatment they need.
In conclusion, it’s clear that patients are getting better with hyperbaric oxygen. Let’s stop the madness and pay attention to what’s working. HBOT needs to be an option for veterans, or anyone who is suffering from a brain injury. Get these people in the chambers as quick as possible, because HBOT clearly offers a tremendous benefit that leads to a cure.
Figure 1
ANAM4™ Mood (left) & Neurocognitive (right) Test Scores. Flow diagram of study participants included in this report. Note: mTBI: Mild traumatic brain injury; PCS: post-concussion syndrome.Note: mTBI: Mild traumatic brain injury; PCS: post-concussion syndrome.
Figure 2
Distribution of subject population time from injury to protocol enrollment.
Figure 3
ANAM4™ Mood (left) & Neurocognitive (right) Test Scores. Note: Average values from test subjects are displayed. Prior to each ANAM4™ assessment, subjects were asked to rate eight mood areas (left) before undertaking a battery of neurocognitive test (right). *nonparametric. SRT: Simple reaction time; CS-L: code substitutionlearning; PRT: procedural reaction time; MP: mathematical processing; MtS: matching to sample; CS-D: code substitutiondelayed; SRT-R: simple reaction time (R); ANAM4™: Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics.
Figure 4
CNSVS Neurocognitive test scores. Note: Average values from test subjects are displayed above. *denotes nonparametric. NCI: Neurocognitive index; CM: composite memory; VerbM: verbal memory; VisM: visual memory; PsySp: psychomotor speed. RT: reaction time; CxA: complex attention; CF: cognitive flexibility; PS: processing speed; ExFn: executive functioning; HBO2: hyperhabic oxygen; CNSVS: Central Nervous System Vital Signs; ANAM: Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics.
Figure 5
Effect of younger age at time of protocol enrollment and delay in HBO2 administration from time of injury on neurocognitive test score improvement. Note: Neurocognitive scores are expressed as the sum of average improvement in tests administered. HBO2: Hyperbaric oxygen.
Figure 6
Average improvement in each subject’s neurocognitive test scores bases on number of HBO2 sessions received. Note: Each point in the graph represents one subject. The line through the points is a best-fit, linear regression (y=0.5539x + 1.1863) of individual subjects who have undergone 35 and up to 82 hyperbaric oxygen treatments. The trend line slope is 0.55; r = 0.3685, P = 0.038. HBO2: Hyperbaric oxygen.
Read the Full Paper:
Mozayeni BR, Duncan W, Zant E, Love TL, Beckman RL, Stoller KP. The National Brain Injury Rescue and Rehabilitation Study – a multicenter observational study of hyperbaric oxygen for mild traumatic brain injury with post-concussive symptoms. Med Gas Res. 2019 Jan-Mar;9(1):1-12. doi: 10.4103/2045-9912.254636. PMID: 30950414; PMCID: PMC6463441.