Neuropsychological effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cerebral palsy.

Abstract

We conducted a double-blind placebo study to investigate the claim that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) improves the cognitive status of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Of 111 children diagnosed with CP (aged 4 to 12 years), only 75 were suitable for neuropsychological testing, assessing attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning. The children received 40 sessions of HBO2 or sham treatment over a 2-month period. Children in the active treatment group were exposed for 1 hour to 100% oxygen at 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA), whereas those in the sham group received only air at 1.3 ATA. Children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared with the baseline. However, no statistical difference was found between the two treatments. Furthermore, the sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension. Most of these positive changes persisted for 3 months. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.

• Authors: Paule Hardy, Jean-Paul Collet, Joanne Goldberg, Thierry Ducruet, Michel Vanasse, Jean Lambert, Pierre Marois, Maxime Amar, David L Montgomery, Jacqueline M Lecomte, Karen M Johnston, Maryse Lassonde
• Journal: Developmental medicine and child neurology (Dev Med Child Neurol) Vol. 44 Issue 7 Pg. 436-46 (Jul 2002) ISSN: 0012-1622 [Print] England
• PMID: 12162381 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Attention
• Cerebral Palsy (psychology, rehabilitation)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation
• Male
• Memory, Short-Term
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Reaction Time