Hyperbaric oxygen therapy associated with improved sleep quality in retrospective cohort study
Photo by National Cancer Institute / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider HBOT-sleep association as preliminary; controlled trials needed for causality.
A retrospective longitudinal cohort study evaluated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on sleep quality in 395 patients at the Sagol Center. Participants included 180 healthy aging patients, 92 long COVID patients, and 123 PTSD patients. All received 60 HBOT sessions (2.0 ATA, 100% oxygen, 90 minutes, 5 days/week). No comparator group was reported.
The primary outcome was change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score. Results showed PSQI total scores improved significantly in all three patient groups (p<0.001). Secondary outcomes included PSQI component scores, but specific effect sizes and absolute numerical changes were not reported. Safety data, including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, were not reported.
Key limitations include the retrospective design and absence of a control group, which prevents establishing causality. Funding sources and conflicts of interest were not reported. The study's practice relevance is limited by its observational nature and lack of control data. These findings indicate an association between HBOT and improved sleep quality that should be interpreted cautiously pending randomized controlled trials.
More on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation associated with reduced neurobehavioral symptoms in chronic mTBI with PTSD
Vagus nerve stimulation may help chronic brain injury symptoms in PTSD patients
This retrospective post-hoc subgroup analysis of adults with chronic mTBI and PTSD symptoms examined adjunctive non-invasive vagus nerve sti…
A small study suggests non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation could reduce symptoms in people with both chronic brain injury and PTSD.
Phase 2 trial protocol tests oral hydrocortisone for PTSD prevention after trauma
Study tests single hydrocortisone pill after trauma to prevent PTSD symptoms
A phase 2 randomized controlled trial protocol describes a study of 201 trauma survivors in emergency departments. Participants receive a si…
A single hydrocortisone pill taken within six hours of trauma might help the brain process memories differently to prevent PTSD symptoms in …
MDMA-assisted therapy shows symptom reduction in PTSD meta-analysis with low certainty evidence
Can MDMA-assisted therapy help people with PTSD? A new analysis suggests it might.
A living systematic review and meta-analysis of 6 RCTs with 286 participants found MDMA-assisted therapy reduced PTSD symptoms more than con…
People with PTSD showed greater symptom relief and higher remission rates when treated with MDMA-assisted therapy compared to control condit…
Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing schedules and antibody responses in adults aged 60 to 80 years
Older adults get better protection with the right vaccine booster timing
This prospective cohort study of 450 adults aged 60 to 80 years in China examined three inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing schedules. The…
New data shows older adults get the best protection when they receive specific vaccine boosters at the right time.
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundSleep disturbances are common in aging, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and long COVID, often linked to neuroinflammation, autonomic dysregulation, and neurodegeneration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) promotes neuroplasticity through the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox, improving cerebral perfusion, mitochondrial function, and reducing inflammation. While HBOT benefits sleep in certain conditions, its general effects across clinical populations remain unclear.MethodsThis retrospective longitudinal study evaluated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) changes in patients undergoing 60 HBOT sessions (2.0 ATA, 100% oxygen, 90 min, 5 days/week) at the Sagol Center. Participants included individuals treated for healthy aging (n = 180), long COVID (n = 92), or PTSD (n = 123). Pre- and post-treatment PSQI total and component scores were compared using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for PSQI components. Regression analysis identified predictors of improvement.ResultsAmong 395 patients (mean age at baseline 57.9 ± 14.6 years, 31% female), baseline PSQI scores were highest in PTSD. Post-HBOT, total PSQI scores improved significantly in all groups (p
Intravenous tenecteplase improves functional outcomes but increases hemorrhage risk in non-large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke.
Tenecteplase improves stroke recovery but increases bleeding risk in late treatment window
Related in Neurology
Aerobic and strength training reduce fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Aerobic or strength training eases MS fatigue, trial finds
This randomized effectiveness trial in 62 persons with multiple sclerosis and fatigue found that 8 weeks of aerobic training, strength train…
A small trial finds that aerobic and strength training each reduce fatigue in MS, with no clear winner among exercise types.
Modified CIMT with trunk restraint improves function in chronic stroke patients
Six weeks of tailored therapy improved function and quality of life for chronic stroke patients.
A single-blinded RCT in 34 chronic stroke patients found that adding patient-tailored modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) w…
Thirty-four people with long-term stroke saw better movement and balance after six weeks of a specific therapy mix compared to standard care…
Laughter yoga reduced fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis in a randomized controlled trial
Laughter Yoga Cuts Fatigue And Improves Sleep For Multiple Sclerosis Patients
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 42 people with multiple sclerosis. Participants in the intervention group received 12 sessions of …
People with multiple sclerosis who practiced laughter yoga reported less tiredness and better sleep after just twelve sessions.
Exercise training improves cognition and fatigue in older adults with multiple sclerosis
Exercise boosts brain and cuts fatigue in older adults with MS
This Phase-Ib randomized controlled trial in 51 older adults with multiple sclerosis found that 16 weeks of home-based aerobic and resistanc…
A 16-week home exercise program improved thinking speed, executive function, fatigue, and quality of life in older adults with multiple scle…
From Other Specialties
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Breast Milk: Low Infant Exposure in Lactating Women
Paxlovid levels low in breast milk, early study finds
This Phase 1 open-label study in 8 healthy lactating women found that nirmatrelvir/ritonavir concentrations in breast milk were consistently…
A small study finds that nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) passes into breast milk at low levels, suggesting minimal infant exposure.
Islatravir and lenacapavir fixed-dose combination shows similar bioavailability to single agents in healthy volunteers
New HIV pill works with or without food in early safety tests
This open-label phase 1 study enrolled 93 people without HIV to assess the oral relative bioavailability and safety of a fixed-dose combinat…
A new HIV pill containing islatravir and lenacapavir showed similar drug levels whether taken with food or on an empty stomach, supporting f…
Digital chest radiography with CAD shows variable sensitivity for asymptomatic tuberculosis in South African adults
Digital scans miss many silent tuberculosis cases in South Africa adults
This cohort study evaluated digital chest radiography (dCXR) read by blinded human readers and qXR CAD in 1353 adults in South Africa. The s…
New data from South Africa shows digital scans and computer tools miss many silent tuberculosis cases, raising questions about current scree…
Enhanced CRE prevention program reduced CRE acquisition incidence in adults with risk factors compared to standard care.
New ward rules may lower dangerous bacteria spread in hospitals
This cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluated an enhanced CRE prevention program in 363 adults with at least one CRE risk factor across…
A new hospital ward program using staff alerts and education may help stop the spread of dangerous resistant bacteria among patients.