Search

We compared the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy used in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) as a supplementary therapy to the first-line medical treatment according to the different applied pressures used in HBO2 treatment while maintaining the same number of sessions, periodicity and exposure times. We evaluated data from 115 patients suffering from SSNHL within seven days of hearing loss: 35 patients received the standard treatment protocol (control group), and 80 individuals were treated with additional application of HBO2 therapy pressured to 2.0 ATA (H2.0; n=49) or 2.5 ATA (H2.5; n=31), respectively. Treatment success was assessed using pre- and post-treatment audiograms. We found significant differences in both HBO2 groups compared to the control group. In low frequencies the most significant differences can be seen in both H2.0 and H2.5. In spoken speech frequencies only the H2.0 group was statistically significant. In high frequencies the therapeutic benefits were the lowest. Furthermore, we found a notable difference in the therapeutic effect of HBO2 therapy according to the different applied pressure. At low frequencies, the use of 2.5 ATA pressure was more efficient. However, in the higher frequency ranges, the better hearing gains were obtained at the 2.0 ATA pressure. Our results support the possibility of optimizing treatments individually, depending on the type and frequency range of hearing impairment (shape of the audiogram) in favor of using the 2.0 ATA. This is important in terms of an individual approach to each patient as well as to minimize the burden of a patient in order to obtain the maximum therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous several decades the radiotherapy has been widely used in the treatment of the broad spectrum of the malignant and non-malignant diseases. Similarly to other therapies, however, radiotherapy has its limits too. These include, in particular, the hypoxic environment of tumor tissues, which reduces its effectiveness. Another problem consists of secondary radionecrosis. Both of these limits of radiotherapy can be to some extent eliminated with the help of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Previous case studies have demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of these complications. Still, there are no standard treatment procedures or consensus guidelines. It is necessary to carry out clinical studies with a larger number of samples and more detailed selection criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy used as a supplement to the first-line medical treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We tested 68 patients suffering from SSNHL within seven days of hearing loss: 21 patients received the standard treatment protocol of our department (control group) and 47 individuals were treated with an additional application of HBO2 therapy. Treatment success was assessed using pre- and post-treatment audiograms. Outcomes of our study showed a statistically significant improvement in auditory threshold in all frequency groups for the HBO2 group (P < 0.001), whereas in the control group the statistically significant mean auditory gain was observed only for the frequency zone 1,000 to 2,000 Hertz (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the rate of hearing gain in the HBO2 group was more than doubled (61.7%) compared to the control group (28.6%). Complete recovery of the hearing gain in the control group was observed only in the first two frequency groups (14.29%; 4.76%; 0.00%), whereas in the HBO2 group complete recovery was seen in all the frequency groups (19.15%; 21.13%; 6.38%) as well as in the whole frequency range (6.38%). The efficiency of both treatment protocols was statistically significant (P < 0.001) in both groups of patients, but supplementation of the therapy with HBO2 demonstrated a statistically significantly increase in the effect of pharmacotherapy (P < 0.001) by 11.5 decibels (dB) up to the final hearing gain of 20 dB. HBO2 is therefore a promising modality of SSNHL treatment, but specific mechanisms of HBO2 in patients with SSNHL are still unknown. Further investigations are warranted to explore the mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the case of the cancer diseases, the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is auxiliary and not primarily life-saving treatment. Thanks to its multiple and general effect on the all tissue and organ systems it seems however to be an important tool of adjuvant therapy in the treatment of late effects of radiotherapy. HBOT is applied during and after breast-conserving therapy, and it is used in the treatment of breast-cancer co-morbidities, e.g. arm/shoulder pain, arm/hand swollen, pain in the affected area, and oversensitivity and skin problems in the area of affected breast. Further research in this area has to be carried out due to the multiple complexity of HBOT effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss is a serious interference with the individual's quality of life. Among the new options of its therapy belongs Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). In our preliminary study, we evaluated the results of audiometric tests of the first 9 probants exposed to HBOT and 8 individuals of control group treated without HBOT support, all with sudden idiopathic hearing loss. Obtained results showed remarkable positive influence of HBOT on the level of improvement and compensation of hearing impairment in tested probants in comparison with control group. Although the present number of tested individuals does not allow us to postulate a definitive conclusion, we found notable HBOT positive impact on the average rate of improvement of hearing individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The article deals with the impact of respiratory gymnastics on the curve of exhaled oxygen (ExO2) from the monitoring system consisting of pressure depending on ExO2 in the units of mmHg from the duration of exposure in patients treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Sub-objectives were focused on re-education of breathing and further depended on individual circumstances of the selected patients and concerning reduction of spasticity, increase of muscle strength and the extent of motion. The survey sample: Three respondents aged from 31 to 85. Two patients with Dg. Stroke and one patient with Dg. Sudden hearing loss. All the respondents were assigned to the treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the Centre for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Faculty of Healthcare of Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin in Trencin. Methods: Qualitative research: In the three case studies we have focused on monitoring of exhaled O2 recording system Haux- MEDICAL MONITORING SYSTEM, in 12-seat hyperbaric chamber Haux-STARMED 2200. The record of ExO2 consisted from the dependence of ExO2 pressure in the units of mmHg during the exposure. Results: The changes in dynamics of breathing curves were objectified in the first and third patient and expressed as a percentage. In the first patient, the dynamics of the curve ExO2 changed after 20 exposures and 10-exercise units with localized breathing 6.8% without noise variance at ExO2 increase of 81 mmHg. In the third patient the changes were obtained after 6- exposures and 5-training units with localized breathing the dynamics curve ExO2 was changed by 10.2% with the significant reduction in the amount of noise compared with noise during the second exposure. ExO2 value raised in 122 mmHg. In patients with tinnitus (Case Study No. 2) there was the value ExO2 and low noise from the beginning of therapy, as was evidenced in the curve ExO2. The level of noise exposure in the last phase was reduced which is evident in the curves ExO2 in the second case study Conclusion: In the various indications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the main objective of respiratory gymnastics for patients treated in it is always the same: to achieve increase in the levels of medical oxygen in blood, and thus increase its amount in the body after exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musicians are inherently considered a risk group for the development of tinnitus and hearing disorders. Contemporary renowned performers suffer from tinnitus and hearing difficulties mainly due to increased acoustic load. However, from the history as well as from the present, we know the specific examples of musicians suffering from disorders or even hearing loss in whom etiopathogenesis of the disease is much more complex. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with its complex effect on the metabolism of an individual appears to be auspicious and promising therapeutic tool for individuals with acquired hearing impairment. In the case of its using it is necessary to develop and validate therapeutic approaches from a comprehensive view of physicians, nurses as well as from the perspective of laboratory determination of important metabolic markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing disorders in congenital or progressive forms in childhood as well as in elderly period of life are very important factors, lowering patient's quality of life and increasing of healthcare costs. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be very effective tool in the comprehensive healthcare in patients. In our minireview are described baseline premises for the exploitation of oxygen facilities at higher pressure for healing of auditory system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laboratory medicine, routine determination of APOE alleles is carried out for more than three decades. Primary attention had been focused mainly on the risk allele APOEε4 with respect to the cardiovascular diseases, brain injuries and Alzheimer's disease. Currently, the emphasis is on assessing APOE genotype with respect to the overall metabolic state of patient in terms of personalized medicine. The new challenge becomes the use of this marker in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treatment of diseases, where APOE is an important predictive factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proved as an important tool in healing of CO poisoning, necrosis, ischemic wounds, inflammatory diseases or brain injuries. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in healing potential of HBOT however potential side effects must be taken into account. Equally important is also duration of HBOT. We can conclude, that despite several decades of HBOT use in clinical therapy, there are still not known it's detailed mechanisms of action on the molecular level and considerable part of information comes of animal experiments. Apart from the results of basic research is necessary to obtain a larger volume of complex data from clinical trials of HBOT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]