Article

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and residual postconcussion
syndrome (PCS) are common among combatants of the recent military conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) is a proposed treatment but has
not been rigorously studied for this condition. Objectives. In a secondary
analysis, examine for possible effects on psychomotor (balance and fine motor)
and cognitive performance 1 week after an HBO2 intervention in service members
with PCS after mTBI. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, sham control,
feasibility trial comparing pretreatment and posttreatment was conducted in 60
male active-duty marines with combat-related mTBI and PCS persisting for 3 to 36
months. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 preassigned oxygen fractions
(10.5%, 75%, or 100%) at 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA), resulting in respective
groups with an oxygen exposure equivalent to (1) breathing surface air (Sham
Air), (2) 100% oxygen at 1.5 ATA (1.5 ATAO2), and (3) 100% oxygen at 2.0 ATA (2.0
ATAO2). Over a 10-week period, participants received 40 hyperbaric chamber
sessions of 60 minutes each. Outcome measures, including computerized
posturography (balance), grooved pegboard (fine motor speed/dexterity), and
multiple neuropsychological tests of cognitive performance, were collected
preintervention and 1-week postintervention. Results. Despite the multiple
sensitive cognitive and psychomotor measures analyzed at an unadjusted 5%
significance level, this study demonstrated no immediate postintervention
beneficial effect of exposure to either 1.5 ATAO2 or 2.0 ATAO2 compared with the
Sham Air intervention. Conclusions. These results do not support the use of HBO2
to treat cognitive, balance, or fine motor deficits associated with mTBI and PCS.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2013.

Langue : ANGLAIS