Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What is it about?

Many researchers today agree that PTSD results in long-term functional and structural changes to the brain. Symptom severity and resistance to various treatments correlate with the severity of brain changes. Using HBOT-induced neuroplasticity as a new therapeutic strategy for those with treatment resistant PTSD, we have shown for the first time that HBOT may target those brain changes. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) uses the combined action of delivering high levels of oxygen (hyperoxia) and pressure (hyperbaric environment), to improve tissue oxygenation. HBOT has been used worldwide for years to treat chronic, non-healing wounds, but recent studies have revealed that HBOT has a positive impact on neuroplasticity in various conditions such as poststroke, cerebral palsy and fibromyalgia. The randomized controlled clinical trial included 35 veterans with treatment resistant PTSD who underwent either HBOT (n=18) or a control period (n=17) for three months. The study’s primary endpoint included a change in global symptoms score, using clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) questionnaire. Functional MRI was used for the evaluation of brain function, and DTI-MRI was used for the evaluation of microstructural integrity. A significant and substantial improvement in PTSD symptoms and depression was observed after HBOT. The marked clinical improvement was accompanied by improved brain functionality and microstructural integrity, as evident by fMRI and DTI-MRI.

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Photo by Diego González on Unsplash

Photo by Diego González on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study offers a new concept, approaching the biological barriers to treatment response. The promising results bring some hope for cure to many combatants who suffer from this chronic debilitating disorder.

Perspectives