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Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Stroke Rehabilitation

The damage to the brain caused by a stroke occurs as a result of insufficient blood flow. Because a lack of oxygen is what causes the problems associated with stroke, some doctors believe that a logical way to treat a stroke is by saturating the brain with oxygen. This is done by putting the stroke victim into a hyperbaric chamber where the amount of oxygen in the air can be increased.

  1. Studies

    • Dr. Jerry Swanson, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, said "too few people have been studied to say whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy decreases the chance of dying or if it offers other benefits..." to stroke victims.

    FDA

    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for stroke.

    Treatment Length

    • The National Stroke Association reports that hyperbaric sessions for the treatment of stroke last from 90 to 120 minutes. According to Dr. John A. Cranton of the Mount Rainier Clinic, more than 30 hyperbaric oxygen sessions are needed to provide the maximum benefit to stroke victims.

    Cost

    • The Brain Therapeutics Medical Clinic in California offers 60 daily sessions in a hyperbaric chamber for $6,000 to $9,000. Health insurance does not cover this cost.

    Results

    • The National Stroke Association reports mixed results from patients who have received hyperbaric oxygen treatment for a stroke. Some patients stated their improvement on the treatment was miraculous, while others cited no improvement in their condition.

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