Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment a Viable Form of Cerebral Palsy Therapy?

Neurologists are currently testing the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatments for children with cerebral palsy. In this form of cerebral palsy therapy, high concentrations of oxygen are delivered to patients in a tightly pressurized chamber. This therapy is currently offered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base thanks to an almost $2 million federally funded study.

Donovan Scruggs is one of a handful of children who are participating in the study to see whether it is a viable form of therapy for him. Donovan's mother claims that after the therapy, his leg muscles are more relaxed, however, she's not certain if it is the hyberbaric therapy or physical therapy that has done this.

Experts claim that high doses of oxygen can revive damaged cells in the brains of those with cerebral palsy. HBOT is currently used to treat difficult to heal wounds, radiation exposure and more. The most popular usage of this therapy is to treat "the bends", a condition that affects scuba divers who happen to surface too quickly.

Those who believe that this therapy can help sufferers of cerebral palsy say that it is a viable treatment. Opponents say that HBOT does not work at all. Some physicians believe that more research should be conducted. HBOT studies have yet to include a large sample of children or use empirical methods such as double-blind testing.

Either way, we will keep you updated as more news about this cerebral palsy therapy emerges.