HBOT Improves Neurocognitive Functions and Symptoms of Post-COVID

This study indicated that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – HBOT -offers promising treatment for long COVID, providing significant and lasting improvements in cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, pain, and fatigue.

Objective of study: To evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on cognitive functions, psychiatric symptoms, pain interference, and fatigue in patients with post-COVID-19 condition, and to investigate associated changes in brain perfusion and microstructure.

Findings:

• Cognitive Improvements: Significant improvements in executive function and attention due to increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and mean diffusivity (MD).
• Psychiatric Symptoms: Improved depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms linked to microstructural changes in brain regions.
• Pain Interference: Significant reductions in pain interference, similar to improvements seen in fibromyalgia patients.
• Fatigue: Improved physical limitations and energy levels, associated with metabolic changes in the frontal lobe.
• Brain Perfusion: Increased perfusion in brain regions associated with cognitive and emotional roles.

Conclusions: HBOT offers promising treatment for long COVID, providing significant and lasting improvements in cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, pain, and fatigue.

For more details, refer to the full article: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: randomized controlled trial.