Hyperbaric Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life. The term cerebral refers to the brain’s two halves, or hemispheres, and palsy describes any disorder that impairs control of body movement. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain’s ability to adequately control movement and posture.

Many different factors can be involved in the development of cerebral palsy. Acquired cerebral palsy results from brain damage in the first few months or years of life and can follow brain infections, or results from head injury. Congenital cerebral palsy, on the other hand, is present at birth, although it may not he detected for months. In many cases the exact cause is unknown.

Oxygen shortage in the brain during labor and delivery can cause cerebral palsy. The newborn infants blood is specially equipped to compensate for low levels of oxygen, and a lack of oxygen caused by interruption in breathing or poor oxygen supply is common in babies during the stresses of labor and delivery. But if hypoxia severely lowers the supply of oxygen to the infant’s brain for lengthy periods, the child may develop brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. A significant proportion of babies with this type of brain damage die, and others may develop cerebral palsy, which is then often accompanied by mental impairment and seizures.’

Research indicates that Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy (HBOT) may he beneficial in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy. Researchers at Cornell University concluded that, for some children with moderate to severe CP, there is evidence that HBOT improves motor skills, attention, language, vision and play.2 A hallmark study conducted at McGill University reported improved gross motor function, improved fine motor function, reduced spasticity, and improvements in questions posed for parents after 20 HBOT treatments. These researchers conclude that HBOT therapy is a promising treatment for children with CP.’ We are currently conducting clinical trials using HBOT for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy. Preliminary results are very promising. Benefits observed include reduced spasticity, improved motor function, improved speech, improved cognitive functioning and reduced frequency of seizures.

REFERENCES

1. From the Cerebral Palsy Association of Canada, www. Cerebralpalsycanada.com
2. Packard, M. StucJj presented at the UnIT ersitr of Graz Nor enber 18, 2000.
3. Marois, P., Lacroix, V., Vanasse, M. et al. (1998). The Use of  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Children with Cerebral Palsy: McGill University Study.

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