The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

In this single-center, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, prospective trial at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, the effects of 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) on post-concussion symptoms in 50 military service members with at least one combat-related, mild traumatic brain injury were examined. Each subject received 30 sessions of either a sham compression (room air at 1.3 ATA) or HBO₂ treatments at 2.4 ATA over an 8-week period. Individual and total symptoms scores on Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT®) and composite scores on Post-traumatic Disorder Check List-Military Version (PCL-M) were measured just prior to intervention and 6 weeks after completion of intervention. Difference testing of post-intervention means between the sham-control and HBO₂ group revealed no significant differences on the PCL-M composite score (t=-0.205, p=0.84) or on the ImPACT total score (t=-0.943, p=0.35), demonstrating no significant effect for HBO₂ at 2.4 ATA. PCL-M composite scores and ImPACT total scores for sham-control and HBO(2) groups revealed significant improvement over the course of the study for both the sham-control group (t=3.76, p=0.001) and the HBO₂ group (t=3.90, p=0.001), demonstrating no significant HBO₂ effect. Paired t-test results revealed 10 ImPACT scale scores in the sham-control group improved from pre- to post-testing, whereas two scale scores significantly improved in the HBO₂ group. One PCL-M measure improved from pre- to post-testing in both groups. This study showed that HBO₂ at 2.4 ATA pressure had no effect on post-concussive symptoms after mild TBI.

• Authors: George Wolf, David Cifu, Laura Baugh, William Carne, Leonardo Profenna
• Journal: Journal of neurotrauma (J Neurotrauma) Vol. 29 Issue 17 Pg. 2606-12 (Nov 20 2012) ISSN: 1557-9042 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23031217 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adult
• Brain Concussion (psychology, therapy)
• Brain Injuries (psychology, therapy)
• Cognition (physiology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Hyperbaric Oxygenation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Psychomotor Performance (physiology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult