Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been studied as a potential adjunctive treatment for both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A government review analyzed 32 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this therapy.
Study Scope
The review included:
- 7 case reports describing individual treatment experiences
- 10 literature reviews summarizing prior research
- 15 clinical trials or interventional studies providing direct evidence
While most studies focused on TBI (29 of 32), a few also addressed PTSD, particularly in veteran populations.
Findings on Safety
Three of the 15 clinical trials focused on the safety of HBOT in TBI patients. These studies concluded that HBOT was safe under controlled conditions, with no major treatment-related complications.
Effectiveness for TBI
Results varied significantly depending on the type and severity of brain injury:
- Severe or unspecified TBI: Four articles found HBOT beneficial.
- Mild TBI: Of eight studies, six (primarily Department of Defense–funded) found no significant benefit, while two reported positive results.
The differences stemmed largely from study design. The DOD-funded trials were randomized, double-blinded, and included sham control groups. In those studies, both HBOT and sham groups improved, suggesting outcomes might be influenced by placebo effects or nonspecific treatment factors.
Research Challenges
Designing effective sham controls proved difficult. Critics noted that some sham conditions may have inadvertently provided therapeutic benefit, blurring distinctions between treatment and control groups. Researchers also highlighted the need for long-term outcome tracking to better understand HBOT’s role in recovery.
Implications for PTSD
While less studied than TBI, early findings suggest HBOT could play a role in addressing symptoms of PTSD, especially in populations with overlapping brain injury. However, evidence remains preliminary, and larger, methodologically rigorous studies are needed.
Key Takeaways
The evidence indicates that HBOT is safe and may provide benefits in certain cases of TBI, but results for mild TBI and PTSD remain inconclusive. Ongoing research is required to determine which patients are most likely to benefit, and under what treatment protocols.
Check out the study here: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-16-154.pdf
