Persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS) from mild traumatic brain injury, often alongside PTSD, is common among post-9/11 veterans and has limited treatment options. Harch and colleagues assessed whether hyperbaric oxygen could help.
What the study looked at
This case-control study enrolled 30 military subjects aged 18-65 with PPCS, with or without PTSD, from one or more blast-induced mild-to-moderate brain injuries at least a year old. Measures included symptom lists, physical exam, neuropsychological and psychological testing (on 29 subjects after one dropout), and SPECT brain imaging before and after treatment.
What it found
The authors reported improvements across symptom, cognitive, and psychological measures following HBOT, accompanied by changes on SPECT imaging.
How strong is the evidence?
As a small case-control study without a sham-controlled randomized design, this is preliminary, hypothesis-generating evidence. The earlier site copy for this entry overstated specifics; this version is paraphrased directly from the published abstract.
Related on Saturate
See our evidence overview of HBOT for TBI and concussion, HBOT for PTSD.
Source
Harch PG, et al. (2017). Case control study: hyperbaric oxygen treatment of mild TBI persistent post-concussion syndrome and PTSD. Medical Gas Research. doi.org/10.4103/2045-9912.215745 · PubMed
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