Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has shown promising results in improving stroke recovery, highlighting its potential to restore cognitive and physical functions.
HBOT improves blood flow to damaged brain tissues of stroke patients. The area of dead brain tissue resulting from lack of blood supply is known as an infarct.
The ability of stroke victims to recover using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) or any other medical treatment depends on several factors: size and location of infarct and condition of penumbra, which is the area between dead tissues and unaffected brain. Let’s learn more about this!
What Difference Does Higher Oxygen Level Make?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy saturates blood plasma, lymph fluids, and cerebrospinal fluid—which cushions the brain and spinal cord—with pure oxygen under pressures higher than normal atmospheric levels.
This process exposes the body to oxygen concentrations that are 1,500 to 2,000 times greater than what is found in typical room air. This high level of oxygen reduces brain swelling and delivers essential nutrients to areas of the brain, muscles, and bones that are deprived of oxygen.
Often, through a series of hyperbaric oxygen and HBOT sessions, stroke patients see functional improvements. Inactive cells within the penumbra can be reactivated, and new capillaries begin to form, enhancing blood flow and nutrient delivery while also removing cellular waste.
Studies Show the Effects of HBOT on Stroke Patients
Numerous studies have examined the impact of HBOT on stroke recovery, yielding impressive results. A notable 2013 study by Dr. Shai Efrati from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and his colleagues demonstrated in a randomized trial that high oxygen levels could revitalize inactive neurons.
The study involved 74 stroke survivors, ranging from six months to three years post-stroke, who had ceased to show improvement. Participants were divided into two groups: one received immediate HBOT treatment, while the other waited two months before starting a two-month HBOT regimen.
The research team utilized CT scans to locate areas of dead tissue and SPECT scans to assess the metabolic activity of neurons around damaged regions.
Brain imaging revealed a significant increase in neuronal activity after two months of HBOT treatment, conducted for two hours, five times a week, compared to periods without treatment. Improvements were substantial, including reversal of paralysis, enhanced sensation, and restored language abilities. Although this study focused on patients up to three years post-stroke, similar benefits have been observed in individuals with brain injuries dating back as far as 20 years.
What is a Stroke and What Are the Symptoms?
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain are interrupted due to blood clots or cerebral hemorrhage. This disruption causes rapid death of brain neurons, leading to loss of brain and bodily functions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 800,000 people experience a stroke each year. Prompt medical intervention is critical to reduce brain damage, complications, or death following a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke may include:
Difficulty Speaking and Understanding
Those experiencing a stroke may become confused, have slurred speech, struggle to find the right words, or have trouble understanding speech.
Numbness or Paralysis in the Face, Arms, or Legs
Often affecting one side of the body, symptoms can include numbness, weakness, or complete paralysis. A simple test is to raise both arms; if one arm begins to fall, it may indicate a stroke.
Severe Headache
A sudden, intense headache may occur, potentially accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
Instability
Symptoms may include unexplained dizziness, loss of balance, or impaired coordination.
Vision Changes
Strokes can lead to blurred or double vision or even partial or total vision loss in one or both eyes.
Drooping Mouth
When smiling or speaking, one side of the mouth may droop, a common sign of stroke.
Types of Strokes
Strokes can be classified into three primary types, based on the nature of obstruction to blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain:
Ischemic Strokes
These account for about 80 percent of all strokes and occur when arteries supplying blood to the brain become narrowed or blocked, disrupting blood flow. There are two primary kinds of ischemic strokes:
- Cerebral Embolism
This type of stroke happens when a clot forms elsewhere in the body, often in the heart, travels through the bloodstream, and lodges in the brain, where the vessels are too narrow for it to pass.
- Cerebral Thrombosis
In this scenario, a thrombus, or blood clot, develops directly in arteries feeding brain, often due to fatty deposits that have built up in arteries.
Hemorrhagic Strokes
Making up about 13 percent of all strokes, these occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or leaks. Possible causes include high blood pressure, excessive use of anticoagulants, or aneurysms. Hemorrhagic strokes include:
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage
A blood vessel within the brain ruptures, causing blood to fill surrounding brain tissue, increasing pressure and leading to death of brain cells.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
This type happens when an artery near the base of brain bursts, filling space between brain and skull, often resulting in severe headaches.
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA)
Often referred to as mini-strokes or warning strokes, TIAs involve temporary mini-clots that block blood flow but do not cause permanent damage. Symptoms appear suddenly and typically clear up within one to five minutes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Stroke Rehabilitation
The application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HOT) in treating stroke patients is an area of active research and remains a topic of debate. While some healthcare providers might consider it as an option in specific scenarios, it has not been widely adopted as a standard treatment for stroke.
Nonetheless, there are several potential advantages of HOT in stroke rehabilitation:
Increased Oxygen Supply
HBOT primarily works by supplying elevated levels of oxygen to the body’s tissues, including the brain. This increased oxygenation may benefit areas of brain that have been deprived of oxygen due to stroke, potentially aiding in the healing and recovery process.
Reduction in Brain Swelling and Edema
Post-stroke, affected brain tissue can become swollen and edematous, causing increased pressure within the skull. Proponents of HOT believe that higher oxygen levels can help alleviate brain inflammation, swelling, and edema, which might lead to better outcomes by reducing damage.
Infection Prevention
Stroke patients, particularly those hospitalized, often face a higher risk of infections due to their overall health and complications from immobility. HBOT is thought to enhance the immune system, possibly helping in the prevention or treatment of infections.
Cognitive Function Improvement
A 2021 review in the journal Biomolecules highlighted several studies indicating that HBOT has been associated with enhanced cognitive performance in patients with brain injuries, including stroke. These studies have documented improvements in short-term memory and overall cognitive functions in stroke survivors who underwent HBOT treatments at later stages post-stroke.
Despite these potential benefits, the decision to incorporate HBOT into a stroke treatment regimen should be made in collaboration with a healthcare professional who can carefully consider the individual patient’s needs and the possible risks and benefits.
