Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

DESIGN

Non-randomized case-control observational study.

SETTING

Tertiary level neurorehabilitation unit.

POPULATION

Twenty-five patients with HIE seen between 1 to 12 months after the injury and having a coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R) score less than 7 at entry were recruited.

METHODS

Out of the patients who received HBOT, 20 received 20 sessions of HBOT at two absolute atmosphere pressure (ATA), and two received 60 sessions at 2 ATA over three different treatment intervals. We compared the outcomes between cases (who received HBOT) and controls (who did not receive HBOT).Cases and controls were allocated to three groups based on the time interval after injury following which they were recruited to the study: 1-3 months (9 cases and 16 controls), 4-8 months (9 cases and 9 controls) and 9-12 months (8 cases and 3 controls).

OUTCOME MEASURES

CRS-R, Karnofsky performance scale, and change in disorder of consciousness (DOC) at admission and discharge were assessed.

RESULTS

We observed a significant difference in CRS-R favoring the HBOT group at time intervals of 1-3 and 4-8 months. More patients in the HBOT group improved in DOC than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

HBOT given in the first nine months post-HIE can result in a better recovery and functional outcome.