Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves placing a patient in a pressurised chamber and administering 100% oxygen. Recently, there has been growing interest in the cognitive benefits of HBOT, with research showing improvements in cognitive functioning, especially in domains such as memory. HBOT has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) since the 1960’s and a growing body of work demonstrates consistent cognitive benefits for those suffering from TBI [1]. The use of HBOT in the treatment of TBI is based on the theory that injured neurons would benefit from increased oxygen delivery from HBOT, which may electrically or metabolically reactivate the cells. This may help to improve any cognitive impairments resulting from the TBI [2]. These benefits may be partially due to HBOT leading to an increased level of oxygen in the blood, which is believed to promote neurogenesis, neuronal integrity and synaptogenesis, factors that may influence cognitive functioning. This review examines research on the cognitive benefits of HBOT and provides an overview of the methods by which cognitive performance can be measured. While the optimal treatment protocol for HBOT needs further clarity, existing research highlights its potential for enhancing cognitive performance.
Author: Slater GL
Institutions: University of Technology Sydney, University of Exeter
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405450503