hyperbaric chamber helps yes or no?

Would a hyperbaric chamber help with a CP child?  I have heard that they do help but they are very costly.

[Joyce K Lee, MD]

Dear graciemom,

Thank you for submitting your question.

This is a very controversial topic.
A study in Brazil1 revealed a 50 percent reduction in spasticity of 94 percent (218 patients) of the patients involved in the study. Improvements have also been seen with vision, hearing, and speech.
This prompted the "HBO craze" that has become a hot topic of recent.
Please be reminded that this was one study.
There were other studies that found promising results, and others that found absolutely no benefit to HBO therapy.
HBO therapy is being investigated not only for CP, but also for traumatic brain injury and stroke related injuries with dismal results.

Let me describe the process to you:
HBO therapy is a medical treatment that uses the administration of 100 percent oxygen at controlled pressure (greater than sea level) for a prescribed amount of time—usually 60 to 90 minutes. HBO therapy is commonly used to treat conditions such as burns and difficult healing wounds. HBO therapy facilitates healing in these conditions by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood by up to 2000 percent, depending on the treatment depth. This in turn dramatically increases the amount of oxygen at the cellular level.
In the case of cerebral palsy in children, HBO therapy is administered at 1.5 ATA or equivalent to a depth of 16.5 feet below sea level. Some research has been completed using treatment depths up to 1.75 ATA, or 25 feet below sea level, with positive results. Each treatment lasts one hour and one or two treatments are prescribed each day, five or six days per week. The total number of treatments given in each case varies.

Please be advised that HBO therapy is not without risks.
There are cases of eardrum damage with subsequent hearing loss after HBO therapy.

This is my medical and personal opinion in this matter.
I think that this is a very new and innovative approach to treating CP that is still very experimental.
I am not convinced that the effects are worthwhile.
If you have the financial means to pursue this type of treatment, I don't see harm in doing so and seeing if your child improves.
I would hate to see you, however going into such an endeavor naive and hoping for miracles -- you may find the results disappointing in the end.

All in all, I agree with the others-- ask around in your support groups.
If you hear that many other parents of CP children have seen promising results first-hand, this will be encouraging.

If I were in your position, I think I would opt to wait for more data.

Hope this helps,
JKL, MD

[Fionajnz]

The only feedback I have had was from a Mom of a child with global physical and mental disabilities.  She took Micheala to FL for a number of wks and she and her husband really felt that M showed a great deal of improvement using hyperbaric therapy, esp in her ability to concentrate and focus.  However I am not certain if a child with CP as the sole issue would benefit or not.  I would ask around your local support grps and therapy centers to see if they have experience with this or not.

Best wishes.

Fiona  

[graciemom]

thanks

[freakedoutinVirginia]

Im not sure this will help you, but I know of a lady whose child is a victim of SBS and he wasnt expected to make it at all. Well about two months later, her son started making improvements and she was able to take him home. well, now she has been taking her son to the HBO and since he has begun treatments, they have noticed a HUGE improvement in his motor skills. Also they expected him to be deaf and blind, and his hearing is improving, as well as his sight. He recently had an MRI and that showed that his brain activity is improving and the doctors were impressed with how much he has improved. Hope this helps with your decision.

[mommyofnathan]

Hi,

I don't mean to burst your bubble here, but I have to agree with the doctor.  Our son went for sessions, and we spent a fortune without any effects.  It was worth a shot I belive because one would do mostly anything to help, but I suppose it depends largely on what exactly your expectations are.  If you expect miracles, you will be disappointed.  As the doctor said, there are many risks involved.  Same thing with stem cell transplants.  We had to try.  At least it helped us to acceptance.