Promising New Treatment for PTSD: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
A fresh approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is showing encouraging results in recent clinical studies. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen while in a pressurized chamber, a method traditionally used for various physical health issues. Researchers in Israel are now exploring its potential to help with mental health conditions, particularly combat-associated PTSD (CA-PTSD) in military veterans.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry tracked 63 veterans between 2020 and 2023 who underwent a randomized treatment process. Those who received HBOT reported a significant decrease in their PTSD symptoms, with 68% of participants noticing improvements. The findings suggest that a dedicated HBOT protocol could enhance the well-being of veterans suffering from CA-PTSD.
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst, discussed these findings on a recent episode of “Fox & Friends.” He explained that while some experts feel it’s still early to fully endorse this method as a standard treatment, evidence shows that hypo-oxygenation in the brains of PTSD patients could make HBOT a valuable option.
PTSD is a significant concern, particularly among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, with nearly 20% showing symptoms like flashbacks, sleep issues, and anxiety. Dr. Siegel pointed out that symptoms may take time to develop, highlighting the ongoing struggles many veterans face.
Dr. Keren Doenyas-Barak, who leads the PTSD program at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine in Israel, added that PTSD is often treated purely as a psychological issue requiring therapy. However, she noted that modern brain imaging techniques reveal long-lasting changes in brain structure and activity in those who suffer from the disorder.
Doenyas-Barak emphasized that HBOT might effectively target these problematic areas in the brain, potentially alleviating core PTSD symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. The study results showed a notable positive change in veterans who had not improved through traditional therapies or medications, with improvements linked to changes in brain activity.
With support from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, this new treatment option is now available to veterans, offering renewed hope for those grappling with challenging PTSD symptoms.
