Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Veterans' Cognitive Function, Mental Health, and Quality of Life After Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may affect cognitive functioning, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life in veterans. 1. Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy improve cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, and quality of life among veterans, as measured by pre-and post-treatment scores? 2. To what extent does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy improve cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, and qualify of life among veterans, after controlling for demographic characteristics.

Conditions

TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Concussive Syndrome

Eligibility

Eligible Ages: Between 18 Years and 75 Years
Eligible Sex: All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria

At least 18 years of age. 2. Veteran status 3. Clinically diagnosed with a mTBI, PTSD, Anxiety, or Depression disorder by meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and by a qualified and trained professional. 4. The subject is willing and able to read, understand, and sign an informed consent. Additionally, the subject has clear consciousness and the ability to express self-feelings independently. 5. Exposed to at least one trauma-focused therapy or evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment, such as prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, or CBT, to name a few. 6. Completed cognitive and psychological measurements. 7. Clinical diagnoses cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning or some other functional capacity. 8. Sexually active female participants of childbearing potential and sexually active male participants with female partners of childbearing potential must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception for the duration of the study and for 30 days following the final HBOT session. 9. Stability on any current psychoactive medications (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, stimulants, and mood stabilizers).

Exclusion Criteria

Untreated pneumothorax 2. History of spontaneous pneumothorax 3. Severe sinus infection 4. Upper respiratory infection 5. Asymptomatic pulmonary lesions on chest x-ray 6. Uncontrollable high fever (greater than 39C) 7. History of chest or ear surgery 8. Congenital spherocytosis 9. Any anemia or blood disorder 10. Any convulsive disorder 11. History of optic neuritis or sudden blindness 12. Middle ear infection 13. Diabetes mellitus (insulin therapy) 14. The subject is pregnant or lactating 15. Nicotine use/substance use/addiction 16. Acute Hypoglycemia 17. Diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Emphysema 18. Presenting with symptoms of cough, congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, or open wounds. 19. Active malignancy 20. Current manic, delusional, or psychotic episodes 21. Serious/current suicidal ideations 22. Severe or unstable physical disorders or major cognitive deficits 23. Inability to attend scheduled clinic visits or comply with study protocols. 24. Treated with HBOT for any reason prior to study enrollment. 25. Non-English speakers 26. History of retinal repair, including laser photocoagulation or retinal detachment surgery. 27. History of middle ear surgery, including tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, or pressure equalization tube placement. 28. Age greater than 75 years. 29. Use of any of the following medications during the study period: Anti-metabolites (e.g., methotrexate, azathioprine); Chemotherapuetic agents (e.g., cyclophosphamide, cisplatin); Mafenide acetate e.g., Sulfamylon); Disulfiram (e.g, Antabuse); Peripheral vasodilators known to interact with oxygen exposure (e.g., nitroglycerin); and Antibacterial drugs with known HBOT interaction risks.

Study Design

Phase: Phase 2
Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Masking: None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

Arm	Description	Assigned Intervention
Experimental HBOT Intervention Group		Drug: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Each HBOT session is scheduled for approximately 95 minutes. The session will begin with a descent of up to 15 minutes (longer if needed for comfort/safety) to a pressure of 2.0 ATA, followed by 30 minutes of breathing 100% oxygen. At the midpoint, there will be a 5-minute air break from oxygen, after which subjects resume breathing 100% oxygen for another 30 minutes. Finally, the session will conclude with an ascent of up to 15 minutes (longer if needed for comfort/safety) back to 1.0 ATA. All sessions are delivered under direct medical supervision with standardized safety protocols. Once approved after medical and behavioral screening, participants complete a battery of cognitive, mental health, and quality of life assessments at baseline (pre-) and after completing the therapy (post-). This arm is distinct from any sham or control interventions because all participants receive the active HBOT treatment.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status: Recruiting
Sponsor: Summit Hyperbarics and Wellness

Study Contact

Troy Nickel, PhD
208-813-9541
tnickel@shwidaho.org

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.