Low pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of blast-induced chronic traumatic brain injury (post-concussion syndrome) and post traumatic stress disorder

“A 25-year-old male military veteran presented with diagnoses of post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder three years after the loss of consciousness from an explosion in combat”

This patient underwent 39 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 1.5 ATA and the results were astounding. Not only did he show a permanent marked improvement in his post-concussive symptoms, physical exam findings, and brain blood flow, but he also experienced a complete resolution of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen promotes Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the growth and development of the nervous system with new neurons. This process has been shown to be significantly enhanced through the application of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy, particularly following trauma to the brain or central nervous system. A recent article titled “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes neurogenesis: where do we stand?” has just been published. In this article, proposed physiological mechanisms of action are looked at, in a way to gain better understanding of oxygen’s role in neurogenesis <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps the damaged brain

This study looked at physiological changes that occurred in the brain with the application of hyperbaric therapy following traumatic brain injury. They noticed an improvement in the blood-brain barrier, a reduction in inflammation and inflammatory proteins, a reduction in both swelling and the size of the damage, and more importantly an improvement in neurological status including motor and cognitive function <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A new look on treating stroke and traumatic brain injury

“This study demonstrated the ability of HBOT preconditioning as a treatment for inflammation in stroke and TBI, and reducing neuronal cell death”

Hyperbaric Oxygen shows benefits for TBI victims, even up to 5 years after the event

This was one of the first trials that produced sound research to support the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI sufferers. Much more importantly, they were able to demonstrate positive outcomes with this procedure, even 5 years after the accidents or traumas. The protocol used was a lower dose of only 1.5 ATA, but was repeated 5 days per week for a total of 8 weeks (40 hour protocol). Due to the late onset of the 40 hour hyperbaric protocol, researchers were able to conclude that “HBOT can induce neuroplasticity (new brain tissue) leading to repair of chronically impaired brain functions and improved quality of life in mTBI patients with prolonged PCS at late chronic stage” <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen helps to Protect the Brain following Brain Trauma (TBI)

Researchers Concluded: “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy protects the neurons after traumatic injury, possibly through inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway” <view study>

Low Pressure Hyperbarics improves cerebral blood flow in Firefighters with mild TBI and emotional distress

Twenty firefighters with mTBI and mild emotional distress were treated with HBO at a relatively low pressure of 1.3 atmospheres absolute for 45 min a day for 20 consecutive days. The goal of the study was to evaluate the subsequent changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the limbic system in these firefighters.

The results showed an increase in rCBF in the hippocampal and parahippocampal regions of the brain. This may explain the recent evidence that suggests the ability of HBOT to help neural activities in the human brain and subsequently improve symptoms of psychiatric disorders <view study>

Treating Severe Traumatic Brain Injury using the combination of Neurofeedback and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Most people who have had a significant brain injury will require extensive rehabilitation. They may need to relearn basic skills, such as walking or talking. The goal is to improve their abilities to perform daily activities.

In this case study, a 26-year-old male suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle accident. He was discharged after 8 months and left with significant speech, ambulation, spasticity, and cognitive issues as well as the onset of post-traumatic epilepsy.

The family decided to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the combination of Neurofeedback (NFB) with HBOT “improved plasticity and functionality in the areas of injury and the correlated symptoms including short-term memory, personality, language, and executive function, as well as significantly reducing the incidence of seizures”

These results suggest that HBOT combined with NFB may be a viable option in treating severe brain injuries and should be investigated <view study>

Low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen helps blast-induced injured military subjects with post concussion disorder and PTSD

16 military subjects received a ‘typical dose’ of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (40 sessions at 1.5 ATA for 60 min HBOT within 30 days) for mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries.

After treatment, they demonstrated significant improvement in impulsivity, mood, anxiety, quality of life scores, and more. Their SPECT brain scans showed remarkable overall improvement in blood flow

These results were confirmed with brain imaging scans which showed&nbsp; remarkable improvements in blood flow to these regions of the brain, following the course of treatments. <view study>

Preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy before stroke/TBI to reduce the damage

Currently, there is a great deal of focus and attention being put on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, due to the promising results seen in clinical research and the potential application that this can have for those individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI. Now, there is strong evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy BEFORE brain trauma or injury, by preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

This study shows that HBOT preconditioning stands as a robust prophylactic treatment for sequestration of inflammation inherent in stroke and TBI. Though we can’t predict when the brain will be under traumatic stress (unless it’s a planned surgical procedure), hyperbaric oxygen may become one of the best ways to protect our brain from future injuries. The following groups of individuals would be the ones that would most likely benefit:

• Athletes and contact sports affect the head

• Patients undergoing planned brain surgery

• High-risk stroke patients

• Those who are at risk for neurodegenerative conditions

• Elderly

The future holds bright for the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for being part of both the treatment of brain trauma and the prevention of the severity of damage that can subsequently occur <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for persistent post concussion syndrome

All participants in this study were diagnosed with persistent post-concussion syndrome related to mild traumatic brain injury. A randomized group received a full course of 40 hyperbaric treatments at 1.5 ATA, daily for 60 minutes, 5 consecutive days per week, for a total of 8 weeks (2-month long hyperbaric intervention).

The hyperbaric subjects experienced significant improvements in memory, anxiety, sleep, PTSD symptoms, and quality of life.

More importantly, After crossing over to HBOT the Control Group experienced near-identical significant improvements. Further improvements were experienced by both groups after completion of their last hyperbaric session, during the 2-month follow-up period.<view study>

1.6 vs 2.2 ATA of hyperbaric oxygen for traumatic brain injuries?

The benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dramatic brain injury (TBI) has been confirmed by many studies. Now the question is “what is the best dose (ie, pressure protocol) to achieve the optimal benefits.

As new research becomes available, it appears that the lower the pressure, the stronger the benefits. This study confirms the recent data, by showing that 1.6 ATA hyperbaric intervention was superior to 2.2ATA for neurological impairment and the restoration of symptoms following TBI.

Researchers in this study suggested that “for the first time that 1.6 ATA HBO has an important protective role in inhibiting both the cytotoxic and the pro-inflammatory actions of histones in the early stage of secondary brain injury”. <view study>