Currently, there is a great deal of focus and attention being put on hyperbaric oxygen therapy, due to the promising results seen in clinical research and the potential application that this can have for those individuals who have suffered a stroke or TBI. Now, there is strong evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy BEFORE brain trauma or injury, by preconditioning the brain with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This study shows that HBOT preconditioning stands as a robust prophylactic treatment for sequestration of inflammation inherent in stroke and TBI. Though we can't predict when the brain will be under traumatic stress (unless it's a planned surgical procedure),  hyperbaric oxygen may become one of the best ways to protect our brain from future injuries. The following groups of individuals would be the ones that would most likely benefit:

• Athletes and contact sports affecting the head
• Patients undergoing planned brain surgery
• High-risk stroke patients
• Those who are at risk for neuro-degenerative conditions
• Elderly

The future holds bright for the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for being part of both the treatment of brain trauma and for the prevention of the severity of damage that can subsequently occur <view study>     Read Less

Researchers Concluded: "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy protects the neurons after traumatic injury, possibly through inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway" <view study>   Read Less

This was one of the first trials that produced sound research to support the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI sufferers. Much more importantly, they were able to demonstrate positive outcomes with this procedure, even 5 years after the accidents or traumas. The protocol used was a lower dose of only 1.5 ATA, but was repeated 5 days per week for a total of 8 weeks (40 hour protocol). Due to the late onset of the 40 hour hyperbaric protocol, researchers were able to conclude that "HBOT can induce neuroplasticity (new brain tissue) leading to repair of chronically impaired brain functions and improved quality of life in mTBI patients with prolonged PCS at late chronic stage" <view study> Read Less

This study looked at physiological changes that  occurred in the brain with the application of hyperbaric therapy following traumatic brain injury. They noticed an improvement in the blood-brain barrier, a reduction in inflammation and inflammatory proteins, a reduction in both swelling and the size of the damage, and more importantly an improvement in neurological status including motor and cognitive function <view study> Read Less