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Neuropsychological effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cerebral palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2002

Paule Hardy
Affiliation:
Groupe de Recherche en Neuropsychologie Expérimentale, Université de MontréalCanada.
Jean-Paul Collet
Affiliation:
Randomized Clinical Trial Unit, SMBD, Jewish General HospitalCanada.
Joanne Goldberg
Affiliation:
Randomized Clinical Trial Unit, SMBD, Jewish General HospitalCanada.
Thierry Ducruet
Affiliation:
Randomized Clinical Trial Unit, SMBD, Jewish General HospitalCanada.
Michel Vanasse
Affiliation:
Pediatric Neurology Department, Sainte-Justine HospitalCanada.
Jean Lambert
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of MontréalCanada.
Pierre Marois
Affiliation:
Centre de réadaptation Marie-Enfant, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montréal, Canada.
Maxime Amar
Affiliation:
Centre Hospitalier Régional de Rimouski and Institut Maritime du QuébecCanada.
David L Montgomery
Affiliation:
Seagram Sports Science Centre, Cleghorn Hyperbaric Oxygen Lab, McGill UniversityCanada.
Jacqueline M Lecomte
Affiliation:
Seagram Sports Science Centre, Cleghorn Hyperbaric Oxygen Lab, McGill UniversityCanada.
Karen M Johnston
Affiliation:
McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Division of Neurosurgery, McGill UniversityCanada.
Maryse Lassonde
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Montréal, PO Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada.
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Abstract

We conducted a double-blind placebo study to investigate the claim that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) improves the cognitive status of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Of 111 children diagnosed with CP (aged 4 to 12 years), only 75 were suitable for neuropsychological testing, assessing attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning. The children received 40 sessions of HBO2 or sham treatment over a 2-month period. Children in the active treatment group were exposed for 1 hour to 100% oxygen at 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA), whereas those in the sham group received only air at 1.3 ATA. Children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared with the baseline. However, no statistical difference was found between the two treatments. Furthermore, the sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension. Most of these positive changes persisted for 3 months. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2002 Mac Keith Press

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