Studies Show HBOT Can Increase Neuroplasticity After Stroke

Worldwide, one on six people will suffer from a stroke and of those, one-third will experience a recurrent stroke.1

Stroke cuts off oxygen to the brain by way of either a blood clot or a hemorrhage. When the brain is no longer supplied oxygen (hypoxia) brain cells begin to die or become severely damaged. Strokes can cause both physical and mental impairment.

Oxygen is the critical element of every cell in our body. Our bodies take in oxygen, and our bloodstream begins to flood our tissues and organs with oxygen-rich blood. Many researchers agree that increasing the supply of oxygen to a stroke patient’s damaged areas of the brain will alleviate brain damage by reducing swelling and regenerating brain matter (neuroplasticity).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that delivers 100% oxygen to a patient’s pulmonary system while they are within a pressurized chamber. This saturation of oxygen allows high-levels of life-sustaining oxygen to be delivered to the tissues and organs. This increase of the partial pressure of oxygen at the cellular level accelerates the healing processes and assists in the recovery from numerous indications.

Poststroke and HBOT
Many studies have been conducted on the effect of HBOT on poststroke patient outcomes. One recent trial in particular is an Israeli study entitled “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions of post-stroke patients – a retrospective analysis,” which looked at 162 poststroke patients. The participants had to have had at least one stroke three months to several years before admittance to the trial.

In the post stroke study, the patient’s brains were scanned via metabolic imaging using SPECT imaging and MRI. Along with these, they also performed comprehensive medical, physiological, and cognitive testing to evaluate changes of the baseline, as well as during and after HBOT treatment.2

The conclusion of the study is as follows:
• Significant improvements in all cognitive domains post HBOT even in the late chronic stage.
• The clinical improvements were achieved regardless of the type, the location, or the side of the stroke.
• Can induce neuroplasticity in stunned, wounded brain regions (metabolic dysfunction) even years after the acute insult.

Hyperbaric Centers of Florida
The founders of Hyperbaric Centers of Florida center have over 40 years of cumulative experience in Hyperbaric Medicine and providing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for a broad spectrum of indications.

Hyperbaric Centers of Florida is a premier, state-of-the-art hyperbaric treatment facility located in the Tampa Bay area. Because of our experience and reputation, we have patients come to us from North America as well as Caribbean, Latin & Central American Markets.

We provide HBOT for Autism, Stroke, Lyme Disease, Cerebral Palsy, and more. Our state-of-the-art Hyperbaric Clinic provides therapy to outpatients on a 7-day per week basis, closing only on major holidays.

The Hyperbaric Clinic is equipped with Real 3ATA Monoplace and Multiplace Hyperbaric Chamber Systems that are ASME, PVHO, National Board, NFPA, and FDA 510(K) cleared and compliant systems.

We are treating all approved indications and selected off-label indications, as directed by a licensed physician with written orders.

With Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy It is always more important to find a safe clinic with a fully trained knowledgeable staff rather than a close clinic. This is one reason people from all over the world travel to Hyperbaric Centers of Florida. Hyperbaric Centers of Florida has a reputation of providing the safest and most comfortable treatments available.

Currently, There Are 15 FDA Approved HBOT Conditions:
• Air or Gas Embolism
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Compromised Skin Grafts or Flaps
• Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome
• Decompression Sickness (Bends)
• Diabetic & Other Non-healing Wounds
• Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
• Exceptional Anemia: Resulting of Bleeding
• Gas Gangrene
• Intracranial Abscess
• Osteomyelitis
• Radiation Injury
• Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Thermal Burns
• Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

HBOT is used “off-label” for various disease states and disorders and HBOT may be ordered by a physician for off-label indications. Hyperbaric Centers of Florida makes no claims as to the efficacy for any indications other than the fifteen approved by FDA.

Common Off-Label Indications:
• Autism
• Brain Injury
• Bell’s Palsy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Infections
• Inflammations
• Lyme Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nerve Injuries
• Oral Disease
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Shingles
• Severe Migraines
• Sports Injury
• Stroke
• Tendon Injuries
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Venomous snake and spider bites

References:
1. Bogousslavsky J, Aarli J, Kimura J, Board of Trustees WFoN. Stroke: time for a global campaign? Cerebrovascular diseases. 2003;16(2):111-113.
2. A. Hadanny, S. Efrati, Shamir Medical Center, “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions of post-stroke patients – a retrospective analysis.”

https://www.shamir.org/en/unique-pages-default-aspx/the-sagol-center-for-hyperbaric-medicine-and-research/post-stroke-recovery/