Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Training Ameliorates Symptoms and Improves Cerebral Perfusion Status in Patients with...

Cerebral venous outflow disorders (CVOD) can impair cerebral perfusion and produce diverse, often debilitating symptoms, substantially reducing quality of life. Intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training (IHHT) has demonstrated therapeutic potential across various pathologies and may represent a promising non-pharmacological approach for CVOD management.

Patients with imaging-confirmed CVOD underwent 14 IHHT sessions, each comprising four cycles of 10-minute hypoxia (11% O ₂) stimulation and 20-minute hyperoxia (38% O ₂). Physiological parameters and adverse events were monitored throughout the intervention. Clinical scales, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, blood tests, jugular ultrasound, and perfusion imaging were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

No participants experienced intolerable discomfort or severe adverse events; vital signs remained within normal ranges. No significant changes were observed in 24-hour blood pressure, blood cell counts, lipid profiles, or other blood markers. Notably, 60% of patients ( n = 12) reported overall symptom improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. Headache severity, as measured by the visual analogue scale, significantly decreased (6.33 ± 1.22 vs. 4.89 ± 2.03, P = 0.016). In patients with internal jugular vein (IJV) stenosis, significant improvements were observed in regional cerebral blood flow (including the insula, occipital lobe, internal capsule, and lenticula) and left J3-segment IJV flow volume (107.27 [47.50, 160.00] vs. 140.83 [55.00, 210.00] mL/min, P = 0.011).

The current IHHT protocol is safe and well-tolerated in patients with CVOD. IHHT may alleviate CVOD-related symptoms by improving oxygen saturation, cerebral perfusion, and venous outflow pattern, supporting its potential as a non-invasive therapeutic strategy.