A review on the neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has clinically been reported to have many benefits within the body, particularly for a wide range of neurological disorders, including spinal cord injuries , brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases (ie,Parkinson’s Alzheimer’s), neurodevelopment disorders (ie, Cerebral Palsy, Autism), and peripheral nerve injuries. The beneficial effects can largely be attributed to the protective anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects that this procedure promotes. “The evidence presented in this review indicates the potential of HBOT in treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries to the nervous system” <view study>

Research review supports the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

The most common cause of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been reported to have numerous physiological benefits for the brain, particularly for aging or degenerative brain disorders. This review article published in the journal of Alzheimer’s disease (JAD) reviewed 391 full text articles between 1980-2021. The data from these studies showed both neurocognitive benefits along with positive clinical outcome for AD. These results led the authors of this review article to advocate for the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for AD. They also encourage future studies to be performed for protocol development, with the goal of long-term cognitive health <view study>

The rejuvenating effects of intermittent hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Intermittent hyperbaric oxygen therapy is shown to help reduce the cellular and biological aging of the body and effectively help us live longer and more important, healthier.

One of the effects seen during the aging process is a decline in cerebral blood flow, causing a reduction in brain oxygen levels. Cognitive and mental performance are effected, particularly in attention and information processing speed.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help combat the decline in cognitive function by supplying the brain with a surplus of oxygen. In addition, the intermittent application of this procedure causes changes in oxygen tensions that promote beneficial regulatory protein changes (from the flux in oxygen levels from high to normal).

These changes include an increase in SIRT1, HIF-1A, and a reduction in CD28 null senescent T helper and cytotoxic T cells.

• SIRT1 increases mitochondrial biogenesis (energy production) and attenuates telomere length thereby contributing to an increased healthy lifespan and reducing aging-related diseases.

• CD28^null senescent T helper and cytotoxic T cells are aging-associated biomarkers and lower levels are associated with a reduction in aging

• HIF-1A& functions as a master regulator of cellular and systemic homeostatic response to hypoxia (low oxygen) by activating the transcription of many genes, including those involved in energy metabolism, angiogenesis (creation of new blood vessels, and circulation), and much more.

Hyperbaric oxygen speeds up fracture healing

This study demonstrates the advantages of utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy following fracture injuries. The authors used a 6 week hyperbaric intensive protocol consisting of 30 sessions at 2.0 ATA. The outcome showed showed accelerated fracture healing with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In addition, there was a higher amount of type 1 collagen tissue, leading to stronger healing of the fracture <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy initiates Bone Healing

This study clearly demonstrated that it only took 5 days to significantly enhance bone growth, reduce inflammation, and accelerate bone healing, with positive results in bone new bone formation <view study>

Improving Bone Regeneration with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Poor Bone healing is one of the many associated health concerns for diabetics, who are known to have a reduced ability to form bone and have poor bone quality, thus influencing bone healing. Since hyperbaric oxygen has been used for a variety of diabetic-related conditions including poor wound healing, researchers in this study decided to observe the bone healing effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy over a short 7 day duration. The results showed favorable improvements in bone regeneration and these findings were subsequently published in this journal <view study>

Impact of Hyperbaric oxygen therapy on dental implants

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very well known for its positive effects in early bone healing and more importantly on its promotion of new bone growth. Now it is being more commonly used alongside dental procedures, including implants. For an implant to be successful, it ideally needs to have bone grow around it on all sides. This study was able to demonstrate that the addition of hyperbaric therapy improved bone growth following implantation. One of the key clinical benefits that was observed was that the healing time around the implants was significantly reduced. Overall, it may be a very good idea to utilize the regenerative benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients undergoing dental surgery, particularly for those who are at greater risk for complications or failures <view study>

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Bone Regeneration

“Bone loss and subsequent repair are biological processes related to many pathological conditions affecting bones, including fractures, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis, osteonecrosis, and tumor. HBOT could have a promising future as an adjunctive therapeutic approach for treating many challenges cases of inflammation-related bone loss.” <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children

With the growing rise in autism, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is seeing its own rapid growth, particularly in many research facilities. Strong data is now pointing to the potential benefits that this procedure may provide for autistic children. This study looked at 1.3 ATA (lower pressure hyperbarics) with using slightly higher than room air oxygen levels, and were able to show significant improvements, within a 40 sessions protocol. By giving lower pressure protocols without the added need for 100% oxygen, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can now be much more readily accessible than previously before — the implications are enormous! <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps to improve autism symptoms, study shows

Over the past few years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is being used increasingly by doctors and clinicians for its off-label uses, and autism is one of the largest conditions, particularly for lower pressure protocols. It is very well known that autistic children will have much higher levels of inflammation presenting in the brain (neuroinflammation). This study looked at lower pressure protocols and followed markers of inflammation. They found significant improvements with both ambient air and with breathing 100% oxygen, including anti-inflammatory effects. More importantly, they were also able to observe significant clinical benefits and improvements <view study>

Autistic Children improve from only 10 hyperbaric oxygen sessions!

A study coming out of Thailand looked at applying 1.3ATA (low pressure hyperbaric oxygen) to autistic children. They pre-assessed them before the hyperbaric procedure and then re-evaluated them after only 10 sessions. Significant improvements were obtained from only 10 sessions in 75% of the children that participated in this study <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy — a safe and potentially effective treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Though hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not an FDA-approved treatment for autism, there are progressively, and exponentially, more autistic families that are seeking out hyperbaric therapy for their children, and some claim amazing benefits. The purpose of this review was to analyze the data and studies and try to help shed more light as to some of the key mechanisms of actions <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy shown to help with Autism

“Children with autism who received hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 ATA and 24% oxygen for 40 hourly sessions had significant improvements in overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to children who received slightly pressurized room air…” <view study>

The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children with autism spectrum disorders

39 ASD children (35 boys, 4 girls) underwent a ’40 Hour’ intensive course of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (either once daily for 8 weeks or twice daily for 4 weeks) at 1.5 ATA (60 minutes each).

The participants were then divided into two age groups: older (over 79 months) and younger (under 79 months). “In younger children under study post-therapy improvements were found for the ATEC Sociability – “Does not imitate”, ATEC Sensory/cognitive awareness – “Shows imagination”, and ATEC Health/physical/behavior – “Sound-sensitive” items. In older children improvements were noted for ATEC Health/physical/behavior – “Obsessive speech” and CARS emotional response, adaptation to change, and total score”

“The results of the present study demonstrate that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a valuable component of the comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation process in children with autism spectrum disorders.” <view study>

Regenerative effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with PRP — Knee Cartilage

The results of this study showed a synergistic effect of HBO and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) on knee cartilage regeneration.

“The aggregation and activation of growth factors released from platelets whose activation is increased in the hyperbaric environment may explain this synergistic effect. This may result in a better regeneration than the effect of PRP or HBO alone” <view study>

Effects of mild hyperbaric oxygen on osteoporosis

Bone loss is a common problem seen in the aging population, mainly due to disuse. This is also a seen in astronauts, patients that are on extended bed rests, and in people leading a sedentary lifestyle. Disuse-induced Bone Loss is can lead to osteoporosis and higher risks of bone fractures.

In this study, a 10 day course of mild hyperbaric therapy (1.3 ATA) was shown to protect and counter disuse-induced bone loss while helping to enhance new bone formation. <view study>

Professional rugby players with grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury of the knee recover quicker with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

32 professional or semi-professional rugby players with grade 2 MCL injury of the knee took part of this study and the ones that were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy reported less pain and more importantly were able to return to play quicker. Professional athletes of all sports should take note of this study. <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen for performance athletes

The application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a simple and safe one, used by many professional athletes, trainers, and physicians for quicker recovery from injuries and numerous studies support both quicker and stronger tissue recovery with HBOT.

With recent advancements in hyperbaric technology and the increased inaccessibility of this procedure, many athletes are utilizing and integrating the benefits of HBOT within their training regimens for the enhancement of performance. The studies on improving performance have been inconclusive; mainly due to, the complexity of the biological responses to HBOT, as well as the variations in (1) experimental designs (e.g. exercise intensity and modality, level of oxygen, number of participants), (2) muscles involved (arms and legs) and (3) training status of the participant. It should be noted that HBOT has been granted to be an approved treatment by The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) and is being used to improve exercise performance in sports practice.</p>

<p>In terms of the use of HBOT for performance enhancement, this study focused on one key variable and that being the “timing of the procedure” (ie, before exercise, during exercise, or after exercise). The systematic review and meta-analysis provided by this study demonstrated that HBOT is most effective in improving muscle endurance performance when administered during exercise (and not before)<view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps protect arthritic joints

During the various stages of arthritis, the joints and surrounding tissue are in constant attack from oxidation stressors and inflammatory reactions. This causes progressive damage and leads to the many debilities that are seen in arthritis sufferers. This study used 1.25 ATA (low pressure) hyperbaric therapy and discovered that a 3 week course of this hyperbaric dosage had a protective effect <view study>

Hyperbaric oxygen expected to be a new breakthrough for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and joint damage. Synovial hypoxia (low oxygen) is a specific feature of RA and plays an important role in the formation and progression of this disease.

“Hypoxia induces angiogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis, cartilage erosion, abnormal energy metabolism and oxidative damage” Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can reverse hypoxic conditions throughout the body and therefore can help effectively halt the pathogenesis of RA.

In this study, the animal model of RA was evaluated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy; whereby, male mice received a total of 10 daily hyperbaric sessions at 2.4 ATA (90 minutes of pure oxygen and two 5 minute air breaks). This group of mice that received HBOT had a significant reduction in the mouse model of arthritis, along with a reduction in disease-progressive inflammatory markers. After evaluating all the data collected from this study, the researchers concluded that a 10-day course of hyperbaric therapy in 12 days can be “an alternative therapy that is considered successful in reducing morbidity and mortality of RA patients” <view study>

In addition to the study above, a new pilot study published in the journal of Clinical Rheumatology on September 16, 2020, also found Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be effective for joint pain in patients with RA <view this study>