Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Management of Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single-Center Experience

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be an effective modality in the management of a variety of conditions. However, its role in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an area of controversy. This study aims to evaluate the safety and outcomes of HBOT in managing the long-term sequelae of TBI.

The records of TBI patients who underwent increments of 40 sessions of HBOT at 1.5 atmosphere absolute at a single medical center were reviewed. The outcome measures included physical, cognitive (i.e., Trail Making Test, parts A and B; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Symptoms tool), and single-photon emission computed tomography findings. The complications and withdrawals were recorded.

During the study period, 17 patients underwent HBOT to manage the long-term sequelae of their TBI. Of the 17 patients, 12 (70.6%) completed 120 HBOT sessions and were evaluated 3 months after treatment. All 12 patients had statistically significant improvements in their Trail Making Test, parts A and B, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Symptoms scores (P < 0.05). Additionally, single-photon emission computed tomography depicted increased cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism among studied subjects compared with the baseline values. A total of 5 patients withdrew from the study, which was related to new-onset headaches associated with HBOT for 1 patient.

HBOT using 1.5 atmosphere absolute in increments of 40 sessions was found to be a safe and effective modality in the management of the long-term sequelae of TBI. HBOT should be considered in the management of this patient population.