Research Shows that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Induces Neuroplacticity and Speeds Stroke Recovery
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to activate neuroplasticity in chronic neurological deficiencies resulting from strokes.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to activate neuroplasticity in chronic neurological deficiencies resulting from strokes.
Are you a Patient? View Patient version of this page
How Hyperbarics Helps
Induces neuroplasticity
Reduces inflammation
Mobilizes stem cells
Increases tissue oxygen delivery
Improves blood-brain barrier reactions
Up-regulates axon guidance agents
Increases levels of neutrophils & nitric oxide
Speeds recovery and rehabilitation
Enhances mitochondrial function (neurons & glial cells)
Stimulates angiogenesis & cell proliferation needed for axonal regeneration
What the Research Says
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to activate neuroplasticity in chronic neurological deficiencies resulting from strokes. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections.
Bay Area Hyperbarics has treated hundreds of stroke patients over the last 20 years, with consistent improvements to patients’ quality of life. On the more remarkable side of the spectrum, we observed patients who could not walk, and who were showing no signs of improvement before HBOT, regain the ability to walk upstairs without assistance. Others improved their speech so they could return to work. Yet others regained the ability to read, and others to think clearly and articulate thoughts when previously they were unable. Some patients though experienced more mild improvements, such as improved strength and balance, the ability to assist in transferring from bed to a wheelchair, or to push up from a wheelchair and stand without assistance.
In one recent randomized and controlled study listed below, participants showed increases in brain regeneration and in their quality of life indices. Participants’ strokes occurred as few as six months and as many as 36 months prior to the study. Participants in this study were treated with 40 sessions, five days per week over eight weeks.
Of the 57 participants who underwent HBOT, 43% to 55% showed significant improvements, while 29% to 35% showed mild improvements. Overall, 72% of the patients had mild to significant improvements.
Some of those improvements included participants being able to move previously paralyzed fingers, dress themselves, shop and cook. One of the patients who could barely walk regained the ability to climb stairs. She could also feed herself, and she regained speech and reading abilities.
Researchers in this study worked with stroke patients who were no longer improving. Before administering HBOT, researchers analyzed each participants’ brain using CT scans to identify necrotic tissue. They also used SPECT scans to assess the metabolic activity level of neurons surrounding damaged areas. They then administered the same scans after 40 HBOT treatments. In short, they found that HBOT restored significant neurological function in brain tissue that had appeared chronically damaged. In contrast, participants who received no HBOT did not demonstrate any improvement. Because this was a crossover study, the non-HBOT group later received HBOT, and showed the same improvements as the initial experimental group. Pre- versus post- images of the brain demonstrated improvements in blood supply and the increased viability of damaged tissue. They found that idling neurons in many areas again became active. Researchers confirmed that administering oxygen under pressure increases oxygenation in brain tissues by between 10 and 400 times, even into areas of necrotic tissue. This increased oxygen infused into the brain appears to speed up the process of neuroplasticity, as well as angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels to areas previously not receiving sufficient oxygen).
Numerous studies have shown the importance of increased oxygen to the brain after acute ischemia or stoke, and on the value of hyperbaric oxygen in particular. The research to-date proves promising, with few, if any, adverse effects.
When patients breathe oxygen under pressure (hyperbaric oxygen therapy), it increases oxygen tension in arteries and in the brain. It also facilitates the flow of oxygen dissolved directly in the blood across the blood-brain barrier. At the minimum then, it is reasonable to expect that HBOT can be an effective method of increasing oxygen to brain tissues, and evoking neuroplasticity, angiogenesis in non-active areas, and increased neuronal activity after a stroke.
For example, numerous studies have suggested that the oxygen supply to blood vessels in stroke-affected areas is severely restricted, leading to oxygen deficiency. Such decreased oxygen levels not only cause a reduction in neuronal activity, but also prevent angiogenesis, which would help replace the stroke-damaged blood vessels. It also prevents the generation of new synaptic connections. These studies stress the importance of a high oxygen supply to repair stunned regions of the brain. Several previous studies have also shown that an increase in dissolved oxygen has several beneficial effects in damaged brain tissues.
Research Studies
NEUROLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
A Clinical Study on Ischemic Stroke
The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Functional Impairments Caused by Ischemic Stroke
NEUROLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
A Clinical Study on Ischemic Stroke
This study investigated the impact of HBOT as a therapeutic intervention following stroke across a number of functional domains including speech, language, cognition, physical function, and quality of life. We found a beneficial effect of HBOT on memory, processing speed, gait velocity, upper extremity mobility, sleep, and overall recovery. We also observed significant transient changes in neural and inflammatory biomarkers in response to HBOT that may result in the sustained functional changes that were observed. Despite these encouraging results further research is needed to more clearly define the mechanism and potential role of HBOT following stroke.
PLOS ONE
Clinical Effectiveness of stroke and TBI
Prospective Trial: Hyperbaric Oxygen Induces Late Neuroplasticity in Post Stroke Patients - Randomized
PLOS ONE
Clinical Effectiveness of stroke and TBI
Recovery after stroke correlates with non-active (stunned) brain regions, which may persist for years. The current study aimed to evaluate whether increasing the level of dissolved oxygen by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) could activate neuroplasticity in patients with chronic neurologic deficiencies due to stroke.
BMJ OPEN
Retrospective analysis by Dr.Amir Hadanny
Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on chronic neurocognitive deficits of post-traumatic brain injury patients
BMJ OPEN
Retrospective analysis by Dr.Amir Hadanny
n the largest published cohort of patients suffering from chronic deficits post-TBI of all severities, HBOT was associated with significant cognitive improvements. The clinical improvements were well correlated with increased activity in the relevant brain areas.
TAYLOR & FRANCIS ONLINE
Hyperbaric oxygen and cerebral physiology
HBO has been shown to be a potent means to increase the oxygen content of blood and has been advocated for the treatment of various ailments, including air embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, wound healing and ischemic stroke
TAYLOR & FRANCIS ONLINE
Hyperbaric oxygen and cerebral physiology
HBO therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen at pressures greater than sea level. It has been used to treat various conditions, including ischemic stroke, but its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. This review summarizes the effects of HBO on brain oxygenation, cerebral blood flow, and intracranial pressure in healthy and injured brains, and how these changes can provide protection.
RESEARCHGATE
Rationale of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in Cerebral Vascular Insult
Breathing of 100% O2 under hyperbaric conditions, hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), is the only method to increase the O2 concentration in tissue with impaired blood supply
RESEARCHGATE
Rationale of Hyperbaric Oxygenation in Cerebral Vascular Insult
Cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke, result from insufficient oxygen supply to neural tissue due to thromboembolic events and obstructive vessel disease. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), through breathing 100% oxygen under hyperbaric conditions, can increase oxygen concentration in tissue with impaired blood supply. Experimental and clinical studies show positive effects of HBO therapy, improving survival rate and neurological outcomes. However, optimal pressure levels, duration, and number of HBO sessions need clarification before routinely recommending HBO as additional therapy in clinical practice.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Ischaemic brain damage after stroke
New insights into efficient therapeutic strategies. International Symposium on Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Ischaemic brain damage after stroke
Future stroke therapies will target inflammatory responses, the neurovascular unit, neurogenesis and angiogenesis, and cell-death pathways. High-throughput technologies like proteomics, genomics and siRNA screening will be used to investigate further mitochondrial cell-death pathways, systemic immune responses and reversible phosphorylation. Strict criteria such as the Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) criteria are necessary for successful transfer of experimental research into clinical practice.
Patient Experiences
Bay Area Hyperbarics has healed hundreds of patients with stubborn and non-healing wounds over the last 20 years.
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Amelia, 42
Had significant problems with her balance while walking.
Amelia, a 42 year old woman, had significant problems with her balance while walking. Two years after her stroke she had only been up to her bedroom upstairs once. And that was with someone standing walking next to steady her should she start to fall. So she had not slept in her own bed for two years. She lived and slept only on the main floor of the condo. After Hyperbaric oxygen treatments, she was able to navigate the stairs alone and slept in her own bed every night to her great pleasure and relief.
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Henry, 81
Lost eyesight in his right eye, which returned during hyperbaric treatments.
Henry, an 81 year old man, came in to our clinic 8 years after his stroke. He had lost his eyesight in his right eye, which returned during his treatments. Additionally, his grandson had to translate what he was saying for us because his mumbling speech made it difficult to understand him. During HBOT his speech became clear enough so translations were no longer necessary.
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Ming, 33
She regained the ability to recognize and remember faces after HBOT
Ming, a 33 year old woman, came with a fear of being around people, because she had lost her ability to recognize and remember faces. After treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, she was so excited when she realized that she could remember our faces. It allowed her to feel safe and at ease in her normal day-to-day activities.
Physicians: Refer a Patient
Refer a patient in three easy steps.
1
You Submit Your Patient’s Information
As a provider, your office fills out and faxes back the Patient Referral Form. Have questions? Call us!
2
We Get Authorizations
We ensure the patient understands the treatment and follows the prescribed protocol to get the patient on the road to recovery!
3
Patient Starts HBOT
Our medical staff meets with the patient to ensure that HBOT treatment is appropriate and contacts Medicare or private insurance to receive authorization.
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Research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
To learn more about HBOT, take a look at our FAQs.
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What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats medical conditions with 100% oxygen in a pressurized hyperbaric chamber. The patient lies or sits in the chamber. The oxygen then saturates the plasma in the blood, allowing oxygen to easily flow throughout the body and reach even areas that are injured or diseased, which typically receive less oxygen. The mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy include stimulating and mobilizing stem cells, down-regulating inflammatory genes, up-regulating reproductive cells and stimulating DNA. HBOT also regrows tiny blood vessels, and stimulates the growth of new healthy cells in the brain, bones, skin, organs, and tissues. People seek hyperbaric oxygen therapy to heal physical damage in their bodies and to promoting health and anti-aging.
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Does HBOT kill cancer cells?
Current research indicates that hyperbaric oxygen does not kill cancer cells. However, there has been a small amount of research indicating that hyperbaric oxygen might reduce the size of certain tumors. Also, there has been a study on mice using hyperbaric oxygen, along with a ketogenic diet, to reduce tumors. Hyperbaric oxygen causes many different healing modalities to kick into gear. Could its effect on strengthening the immune system inhibit the growth of cancer cells? Nobody knows. There are numerous studies conclusively showing that hyperbaric oxygen does not encourage cancer cells or tumors to grow. Some patients claim the hyperbaric oxygen makes them feel a lot more comfortable and functional after chemotherapy and also during healing. Note that some chemotherapy drugs are not to be used with hyperbaric oxygen, as the chemotherapy drugs can be enhanced and thus become toxic. A good hyperbaric oxygen facility (such as Bay Area Hyperbarics) will always call the chemotherapy manufacturer to ensure that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will be helpful and not damaging to the patient.
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IWhat is the CPT code for HBOT?
The CPT code for HBOT is G0277.
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Does Medicare cover HBOT?
Medicare covers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for approved conditions, and many insurance companies also cover approved conditions. If your condition is not approved by your insurance, we can discuss our special rates. Give us a call at (408) 356–7438. We are happy to discuss your options with you.
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Can HBOT help Neuropathy?
Hyperbaric treatments help heal neuropathy by regrowing small blood vessels and nerves that have died from disease, injuries from radiation and aging. Patients often experience numbness and or pain when they start treatment. Hyperbaric treatments most often bring back sensation and make, for example, walking easier and more enjoyable.
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Why would a physician consider HBOT?
A physician would consider using hyperbaric chamber therapy under a variety of situations. Physicians most typically refer patients to hyperbarics when the patient is not healing with traditional medical interventions and hyperbaric chamber therapy is approved by Medicare for this condition. Some patients experience significant unresolved pain and unremitting disease states that the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber are known to affect, such as the down regulation of inflamatory genes. For an example, some patients have experienced severe, unremitting hives with itching, which did not improve with any specialists interventions. Some physicians will consider hyperbaric chamber therapy if the patient has no other good avenues for improving their failing health, and they know the hyperbaric chamber therapy is safe and will not harm the patient.
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What is Hypebaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HB0T) is a medical treatment where you inhale 100% oxygen in a chamber with increased atmospheric pressure. HBOT injects 400x the oxygen into your tissues and bones and mobilizes stem cells. It regrows healthy tissues in the brain, blood vessels, skin and bones. It also reduces pain and swelling, and speeds recovery. It is simple, effective and painless.
Have more Questions?