Study shows benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
A new study of long COVID will likely provide hope for the millions of people suffering from the debilitating condition, as researchers recently said that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the key to a long COVID treatment.
The study included 73 long haulers with postCOVID-19 cognitive symptoms, such as brain fog, inability to concentrate, forgetfulness and difficulty recalling words or thoughts. These symptoms had persisted for more than three months after a confirmed virus infection — a crippling condition that affects up to 30% of COVID patients.
Participants in the study were divided into two groups: 37 patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment and 36 were designated into the sham-controlled group (placebo sessions received normal air).
Those who received the hyperbaric oxygen had 40 treatment sessions — five sessions per week within two months. The patients entered a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and breathed 100% oxygen by mask at twice the atmospheric pressure at sea level, for 90 minutes with oxygen fluctuations.
According to the study’s results, patients treated by hyperbaric oxygen had “significant improvement in their global cognitive function and more cognitive improvement related to their specific damaged brain regions responsible for attention and executive function.” Patients also saw significant improvement in their energy, sleep, psychiatric symptoms and more.
Participants who received only the placebo treatment did not experience significant improvement in their persistent long COVID symptoms.
The study was conducted by Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center in Be’er Ya’akov,
Israel.
“The study revealed that HBOT [hyperbaric oxygen therapy] can induce structural and functional repair of the damaged regions of the brain and improve the cognitive, behavioral and emotional function of the unfortunate patients suffering from post-COVID-19 conditions,” said Shai Efrati, the research group leader and director of the Sagol Center and chair of Aviv Scientific’s Medical Advisory Board.
Earlier this year, Efrati and others published a single case report about hyperbaric oxygen treatment for a long hauler.
The scientists reported how a previously healthy, athletic 55-year-old man who suffered from long COVID was treated successfully with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
When it came to the man’s physical improvement, there was a 34% increase in his maximum rate of oxygen consumed during exercise and a 44% improvement in forced vital capacity.