Neuropsychological effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cerebral palsy.
We conducted a double-blind placebo study to investigate the claim that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) improves the cognitive status of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Of 111 children diagnosed with CP (aged 4 to 12 years), only 75 were suitable for neuropsychological testing, assessing attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning. The children received 40 sessions of HBO2 or sham treatment over a 2-month period. Children in the active treatment group were exposed for 1 hour to 100% oxygen at 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA), whereas those in the sham group received only air at 1.3 ATA. Children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared with the baseline. However, no statistical difference was found between the two treatments. Furthermore, the sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension. Most of these positive changes persisted for 3 months. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.
Hardy
Paule
P
Groupe de Recherche en Neuropsychologie Expérimentale, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Collet
Jean-Paul
JP
Goldberg
Joanne
J
Ducruet
Thierry
T
Vanasse
Michel
M
Lambert
Jean
J
Marois
Pierre
P
Amar
Maxime
M
Montgomery
David L
DL
Lecomte
Jacqueline M
JM
Johnston
Karen M
KM
Lassonde
Maryse
M
D001288:Attention; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time