Stroke

HBOT has been shown to help prevent and treat stroke through a number of different mechanisms.

HBOT can be used to precondition the brain by stimulating angiogenesis, thus producing more circulatory pathways throughout the brain and potentially decreasing the chance of stroke.

Also, this has been shown to benefit post-stroke patients, as compromised blood flow to the affected brain tissue (penumbra) and its functionality is recoverable by introducing increased levels of oxygen.

Studies have demonstrated the following therapeutic benefits of HBOT for patients recovering from stroke. HBOT may also help to prevent strokes.

SUPPORTING STROKE RECOVERY USING HYPERBARICS

Faster Overall Recovery
Improves Vision and Speech
Reduces Paralysis
Accelerates Gross/Fine Motor Skills
Increases Penumbra Tissue Recovery
Stimulates Angiogenesis for Faster Reclamation
Promotes Neurogenesis
Enhances Stem Cell Proliferation and Mobilization
Escalates Neuroplasticity
Alleviates Spasticity

HOW HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY MAY PREVENT STROKES

Stimulates Angiogenesis
Ameliorates Atherosclerosis
Decreases Oxidative Stress in the Brain
Preconditions the Brain to Enhance Neuroprotective Properties

Research

In January 2013, a prospective, randomized, controlled trial focused on the introduction of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to post-stroke patients. A total of 59 participants, who had suffered a stroke 6 to 36 months prior to inclusion and had at least one motor dysfunction, were randomly assigned to treated and cross-over groups. The treated group received two months of 40, one-hour HBOT sessions. Whereas the cross-over group was evaluated after one month with no HBOT and again after one month following HBOT, utilizing the same treatment protocol. The evaluating physicians found that neurological function, brain activity and quality of life of all treated patients improved after HBOT. Results of SPECT imaging directly correlated with clinical improvements and indicated that HBOT can lead to significant neurological improvements in post-stroke patients, even at chronic late stages. The observed clinical improvements indicated that neuroplasticity can be activated long after damage onset.

Clinical Research

The following research highlights the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for people who had a stroke.

Study