Following are the various advantages of hyperbaric chamber therapy or HBOT.
Biochemical Improvement
HBOT helps to reduce excess concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, and ammonia, particularly in older people, which are detrimental to fitness and contribute to fatigue. Exercise typically causes significant increase in these substances.
Increase of capacity for strenuous exercise
HBOT allows for this ability during rehab, this is of great importance in the rehabilitation heart disease patients, for the treatment of mild hypertension and for lowering blood lipids.
HBOT’s role in Stroke Rehabilitation
| Activates dormant neurons in the penumbra zone. | |
| Relieves spasticity | |
| Facilitates movements | |
| Improves motor power | |
| Reduces stroke recurrences | |
| Increases physical and mental exercise capacity |
HBOT’s role in Head Injury Rehabilitation
| Decreases cerebral edema in acute stage | |
| Decreases spasticity | |
| Accelerates recovery | |
| Improves cognitive function recovery in combination with brain jogging | |
| Relieves post-traumatic headaches |
HBOT’s role in Paraplegia Rehabilitation
| Relieves spasticity | |
| Improves vital capacity | |
| Increases exercise capacity | |
| Decreases hyperammonemia resulting from exhaustive exercise. |
HBOT’s role in Myocardial Ischemia
| Improves exercise capacity | |
| Prevents recurrence of ischemic episodes | |
| Decreases BP in hypertensives | |
| Long-term use reverses atherosclerosis |
Benefits of Exercise Under HBOT in Patients with Ischemic Leg Pain
| Increases painless exercise capacity | |
| Relieves pain both at rest and on activity | |
| Reduces biochemical disturbances resulting from exercise of ischemic muscles | |
| Counteracts the vasoconstriction effect of HBO | |
| Improvement is maintained after cessation of HBOT when the ceiling effect is reached |
Benefits of HBOT in Sports Injuries
| Reduces swelling and pain in acute stage | |
| Speeds up recovery and return to active training | |
| Improves fracture healing | |
| Aids recovery from exhaustion and collapse |
The above material referenced from Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine – KK Jain