Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury

Authors

Jessica Garner, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Hyperbaric Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Laura Witte

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on patients with traumatic brain injuries of varying severities.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms hyperbaric oxygen, therapy, and traumatic brain injury. Nineteen pertinent articles were retrieved, and they serve as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: There is inconsistent evidence to support improvement of brain function and quality of life in patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been studied as a potential adjunctive treatment for patients with traumatic brain injury in several small trials. HBOT has been most thoroughly investigated by the Department of Defense (DoD) for use with veterans with TBIs. Review articles published in the past five years show improvement in quality of life and overall brain function in patients with traumatic brain injury. Despite the fact that older literature does not show improvement in outcome, nore recent review articles suggest this is due flawed methodology and lack of consistent variables in older studies.There is compelling evidence in the literature to suggest that the results of large, ongoing Phase II clinical trials may standardize the use of HBOT for patients with TBI.

Recommended Citation

Garner J. Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(1).