Neuropsychological Effects Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy In Cerebral Palsy

Source: Developmental Medicine and child neurology. 2002 Jul; 44(7): 436-46


Test Groups:

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  • Active Treatment Group- 100% Oxygen at 1.75 ATA
  • Sham Treatment Group- Ambient Air at 1.3 ATA

Test Subjects:

  • 75 children diagnosed with CP aged 4 to 12 years

Conclusion:
No statistical difference was found between the two treatments. The sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension.


Abstract:
We conducted a double-blind placebo study to investigate the claim that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO^sub 2^) improves the cognitive status of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Of 111 children diagnosed with CP (aged 4 to 12 years), only 75 were suitable for neuropsychological testing, assessing attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning. The children received 40 sessions of HBO^sub 2^ or sham treatment over a 2-month period. Children in the active treatment group were exposed for 1 hour to 100% oxygen at 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA), whereas those in the sham group received only air at 1.3 ATA. Children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared with the baseline. However, no statistical difference was found between the two treatments. Furthermore, the sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension. Most of these positive changes persisted for 3 months. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.

Standard No: ISSN: 0012-1622; NLM Unique Journal Identifier: 0006761

Author(s): HardyP; Collet JP; Goldberg J; DucruetT; Vanasse M; Lambert J; MaroisP; Amar M; Montogmery DL; Lecomte JM; Johnston KM; Lassonde M

Affilication: Groupe de Recherche en Neuropsychologie Experimentale, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Layperson Summary

A study published in the journal “Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology” in July 2002 investigated the potential cognitive benefits of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The study aimed to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen treatment could improve attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning in children diagnosed with CP.

Test Groups and Subjects: The study involved 75 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, aged 4 to 12 years. The children were divided into two groups:

  1. Active Treatment Group: Children in this group received 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2). They were exposed to 100% oxygen at a pressure of 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA) during each session.
  2. Sham Treatment Group: Children in this group received 40 sham treatment sessions. They were exposed to ambient air at a pressure of 1.3 ATA during each session.

Methods and Results: The children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared to their baseline measurements. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the active treatment group and the sham treatment group. Interestingly, the sham treatment group showed significant improvements on eight dimensions of the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale, which assesses behavioral and emotional problems in children. In contrast, the active treatment group improved only on one dimension of the scale. These positive changes persisted for three months after the treatment. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.

Conclusion: The study did not find a statistically significant difference in cognitive outcomes between the hyperbaric oxygen treatment group and the sham treatment group for children with cerebral palsy. While both groups showed some positive improvements in attention and working memory, the sham treatment group exhibited more significant improvements in behavioral and emotional aspects. The study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen treatment at 1.75 ATA did not have a clear advantage over the sham treatment in improving cognitive and psychosocial functioning in children with cerebral palsy.