RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can improve the motor functions and memory of post-stroke patients in the chronic stage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of HBOT on overall cognitive functions of post-stroke patients in the chronic stage. The nature, type and location of the stroke were investigated as possible modifiers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who were treated with HBOT for chronic stroke (>3 months) between 2008-2018. Participants were treated in a multi-place hyperbaric chamber with the following protocols: 40 to 60 daily sessions, 5 days per week, each session included 90âmin of 100% oxygen at 2 ATA with 5âmin air brakes every 20 minutes. Clinically significant improvements (CSI) were defined asâ>â0.5 standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: The study included 162 patients (75.3% males) with a mean age of 60.75±12.91. Of them, 77(47.53%) had cortical strokes, 87(53.7%) strokes were located in the left hemisphere and 121 suffered ischemic strokes (74.6%).HBOT induced a significant increase in all the cognitive function domains (pâ<â0.05), with 86% of the stroke victims achieving CSI. There were no significant differences post-HBOT of cortical strokes compared to sub-cortical strokes (pâ>â0.05). Hemorrhagic strokes had a significantly higher improvement in information processing speed post-HBOT (pâ<â0.05). Left hemisphere strokes had a higher increase in the motor domain (pâ<â0.05). In all cognitive domains, the baseline cognitive function was a significant predictor of CSI (pâ<â0.05), while stroke type, location and side were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT induces significant improvements in all cognitive domains even in the late chronic stage. The selection of post-stroke patients for HBOT should be based on functional analysis and baseline cognitive scores rather than the stroke type, location or side of lesion.