Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The treatment of TBI is critical, it is estimated that up to 36,000 New Zealanders experience a TBI annually in NZ (ACC).

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) refer to injuries to the brain caused by an external physical force(2). Such injuries result in brain dysfunction, which can lead to cognitive impairments such as decreased attention, memory loss, and reduced cognitive flexibility as well as motor issues(3).

However, there is compelling evidence to suggest that HBOT may significantly reduce the negative symptoms experienced by TBI patients, even years after the incident.

HBOT has been shown to improve cognitive function and quality of life in patients who experienced a mild TBI(4).

Additionally, HBOT results in improved cognitive function (in multiple categories) in the case of moderate and severe TBI as well.

These improvements were correlated with increased activity in the brain regions associated with each cognitive impairment(4).

Research suggests that increased tissue oxygenation, improved cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function, and improved inflammatory response, to name a few, are responsible for improving the following cognitive impairments(5):

  • Improved Memory (most improvement)

  • Reduced Attention Problems (high improvement)

  • Improved Executive Function

  • Increased Information Processing Speed

  • Improved Motor Skills

  • Decreased Inflammation

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing proinflammatory genes.

  • New Blood Vessel Formation

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that were unable to get nutrients and oxygen.

  • Increased Stem Cell Activity

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.