Medicine, 2017 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000007334 · Published: July 1, 2017
This study investigates how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) affects depression and anxiety in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). Patients were divided into three groups: one receiving HBO, one receiving psychotherapy, and a control group receiving standard rehabilitation. The study found that HBO therapy had similar effects to psychotherapy in reducing depression and anxiety. Additionally, HBO therapy significantly improved nerve function and daily living activities compared to both psychotherapy and standard rehabilitation. The findings suggest that HBO therapy can be a valuable tool in treating psychological issues and improving physical function in ISCI patients, offering benefits that traditional rehabilitation and psychotherapy alone may not provide.
HBO therapy can be considered as an adjunct treatment for patients with ISCI experiencing depression and anxiety, potentially enhancing rehabilitation outcomes.
Integrating HBO therapy into comprehensive rehabilitation programs may lead to improved nerve function and enhanced activities of daily living for ISCI patients.
Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to validate these findings and explore the long-term benefits of HBO therapy in ISCI patients.