HBOT and Cerebral Palsy
The following topic is a brief excerpt of one of the presenters at our 2023 IHA Conference in Hollywood, FL this past June. We found the subject to be beneficial to us and our clients. Enjoy…
What cerebral palsy is not…
It is not a Disease
It is not Progressive
It is not temporary
Cerebral Palsy Defined
It is an umbrella term that describes a group of permanent neurological disorders caused by a brain defect or injury that occurred before or during birth or in the first few months of life.
It is a non-progressive condition characterized by motor and muscle tone abnormalities.
Cerebral Palsy is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle strength and coordination and muscle tone.
The faulty development or damage to the motor areas of the brain disrupt the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture.
Depending upon which areas of the brain have been damaged we will find:
Hypotonia
Disturbance and Gait or Mobility, or posture
Difficulty in swallowing and speech
Muscle tightness or spasticity
Involuntary movement
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic
Mixed
Spastic (Greater than 80%)
Dyskinetic- Athetosis- Dystonia
Causes:
Vascular
Infection
Congenital
Trauma
Hypoxia or Anoxia
Perinatal and postnatal ( during the first year of life)
Some Numbers
More than 160,000 children affected in the USA
Effects 1/400-500 children
Mental Retardation in 30%
Complications
Progressive Orthopedic conditions
Scoliosis
Hip Luxation
Muscle Retractions
caused by weakness, muscular imbalance, spasticity
Lack of Autonomy
Feeding difficulty
Treatment objectives
Help the child in achieving maximum potential in development, motor skills, function and autonomy
Prevent and treat related conditions and complications
Cerebral Palsy and its management utilizing HBOT
Cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions are still not recognized indications for treatment with HBOT despite numerous Publications and strong evidence of this treatment benefits.
Repeated strong evidence has indicated the most probable treatment modality to be 1.3 ATA, this is achievable via soft-sided chambers/ mild HBOT or mHBOT. This makes treatment possible in an at home setting. This method also is much more viable than a Hospital/ clinical setting. Creating greater flexibility in treatment periods for the pts and caregivers.
HBOT mechanisms in Neurological Conditions
Accelerates and improves the cellular repair mechanism
Improves Mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism
Improves Axonal regeneration and Myelination
Increases Neuroplasticity by reactivating neurons and Glial cells in vegetative state
Increases the amount of circulating Stem Cells
Decreases inflammation, Apoptosis
Increases Angiogenesis
The Lancet Study
The results of the research opened the door to a possibility that mild hyperbaric treatment (1.3 ATA) could be beneficial as higher dosage HBOT (1.5-1.75 ATA) and at least certain neurological conditions involving children and possibly adults as well.
The study has been criticized due to the confusing nature and inaccurate data collection. The interested lay person should conduct their own research utilizing the study as a basis.
Conclusion
The overall results pointed to the increased possibility of successful utilization of mHBOT (1.3 ATA) could provide increased beneficial outcome to Cerebral Palsy patients, as well as increased pressures of 1.5- 1.75 ATA which are normally provided in hospital clinical settings. The mHBOT treatment pressure should provide greater hope and increase flexibility to those providing care and treatment.
Source:
“Hyperbaric Treatments in Cerebral Palsy: The Incredible Journey and Evergoing Battle” Pierre Marois, MD, FRCP (c) IHA 2023 International Conference Presentation
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