Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy.
Neurol Res. 2017 Mar ;39(3):239-247. Epub 2017 Jan 12. PMID: 28079475
Ying Long
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on the treatment of sleep disorders and its safety in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS: A total of 71 recruited children were divided into two groups based on age: group 1, aged between 2 and 4 years; and group 2, aged between 4 and 6 years. The effects of HBO2 therapy on sleep quality were observed.
RESULTS: The total sleep items (TSIs) were significantly different in the two groups between pre-HBO2, post 10 HBO2 sessions, and post 20 HBO2 sessions (p < 0.01). A total of 15/38 (39.5%) participants in group 1 and 8/21 (38.0%) in group 2 presented difficulty in falling asleep; 17/38 (44.7%) in group 1 and 4/21 (19.0%) in group 2 had a short duration of sleep during the night; and 20/38 (52.6%) in group 1 and 11/21 (52.4%) in group 2 woke up easilyin the night. No significant difference in the average TSIs in 59 participants was found after 10 HBO2 sessions. Eight participants had insomnia after the first 5 sessions, and three in group 2 had nocturnal hyperkinesia after 15 sessions. A seizure during decompression was observed in 2/59 participants (2/419 sessions).
DISCUSSION: These results indicate that HBO2 therapy is beneficial to improve sleep and is safe for children with CP; however, further studies are necessary to explore the mechanisms of HBO2 on sleep.