RCT Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc 2018

Hyperbaric oxygen for post-concussive symptoms in United States military service members: a randomized clinical trial.

Weaver LK, Wilson SH, Lindblad AS, Churchill S, Deru K, Price RC, et al. — Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, 2018

View Original on PubMed PMID 29734566

Tier 2, Indexed

Automatically imported from PubMed based on relevance criteria.

Summary

What Researchers Did

Researchers conducted a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled trial to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy for post-concussive symptoms in 71 United States military personnel with mild traumatic brain injury.

What They Found

The hyperbaric oxygen group showed improved 13-week Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory scores with a mean change of -3.6 points, compared to a +3.9 point change in the sham group (P=0.03). For participants with co-occurring PTSD, HBO₂ led to a more pronounced improvement of -8.6 points versus +4.8 points with sham (P=0.02).

Canadian Relevance

This study focused on United States military service members and has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

The study was a Phase II trial with a relatively small sample size, limiting the generalizability and definitive conclusions about efficacy.

This plain-language summary is generated with AI assistance and checked against the source abstract before publication. See our editorial policy.

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Study Details

Study Type	RCT
Category	Neurological
Source	Pubmed
PubMed ID	29734566
Year Published	2018
Journal	Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc
MeSH Terms	Adult; Brain Concussion; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Intention to Treat Analysis; Male; Mental Status and Dementia Tests; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Quality of Life; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Symptom Assessment

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Disclaimer: This study summary is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the findings of the original research authors and may not represent the views of Canada Hyperbarics. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making treatment decisions.

Last reviewed: April 2, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology