Dementia is an umbrella term for various conditions impacting memory or other types of thinking. It’s estimated that more than 421,000 people in Australia are living with dementia, and this figure is set to rise to more than 812,500 by 2054. There are many potential causes for dementia, which is why it’s often difficult to find a treatment that works with all or most cases.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
There are two types of HBOT – mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy and normal HBOT – so you can choose the best option for you depending on the benefits you’re hoping to achieve. Mild HBOT, like the chamber at TH7 BodyLabs, focuses on pressure up to 1.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) and either has you breathing more oxygen than normal, or regular air at an increased pressure.
To put this into perspective, at sea level (1 ATA), you’d be breathing 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen with a few small percentages of other gases mixed in. Our lungs work to filter the oxygen and supply it to our red blood cells, which then carry it throughout the body and deliver it to where it’s needed. Each red blood cell has four haemoglobin molecules attached to it, and these each carry one oxygen molecule taken from the air we breathe. So, HBOT gives your body the chance to breathe a higher concentration of oxygen which can then be delivered all over the body by your optimised red blood cells.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy work?
HBOT chambers usually run at least 1.3 ATA, which can increase the oxygen in your blood from 21% to 28.35%. This gives a significant 35% increase in oxygen within the body, letting your organs and muscles enjoy all the benefits that come from higher oxygen levels. What’s more, when oxygen is pressurised (like it is in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber), it can dissolve into the plasma more easily, increasing the oxygen concentration that permeates into your body’s tissues and cells.
The extra oxygen and increased pressure your body is put under can improve your blood flow and plasma optimisation, which is why it’s often used for people with brain and cognitive injuries. HBOT can help more blood get to the brain where it can energise cells and help them work more effectively. It’s this reasoning, along with the positive effects HBOT has had on stroke victims, that’s made the idea of HBOT therapy being effective for dementia come to light.
What are some of the potential benefits of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy with dementia patients?
Research suggests that HBOT can trigger the production of stem cells
A recent 2021 study has looked at the impact of HBOT and showed that it can improve blood flow, which then reduces the level of amyloid plaques in the brain. As amyloid burden is one of the biggest markers of Alzheimer’s disease, this is a huge indication that if HBOT can reduce or even prevent the plaques from forming, it might be able to slow down the development of Alzheimer’s (which is the most common form of dementia).
The authors of this study also suggested that HBOT could trigger the production of stem cells, which then promote the formation of new blood vessels and can increase blood flow in the brain, reducing brain hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and improving cognitive function.
HBOT might be able to improve cognitive function
There is also some research that indicates HBOT can improve attention span, information processing speed, and executive function, all of which usually decline as age progresses. These symptoms are also often associated with dementia, so the ability to slow them down and keep minds sharp might be able to ward off dementia for a while. It can also make patients feel like they’re more in control so they don’t have to worry about things like families looking after them or care facilities, which can cause unnecessary stress and flare symptoms.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can boost the immune system
HBOT has been shown to strengthen the immune system in a number of different ways, with the main being improving the function of your white blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections, illnesses, viruses, and any other harmful bacteria. The ability to strengthen your white blood cells might make them more effective, which can help prevent you from getting ill in the first place or speed up your healing process. HBOT can also improve the circulation of these cells so they can reach the affected area more efficiently, attacking illnesses and removing toxins. Some bacteria might also thrive in low-oxygen environments, so HBOT can weaken them and make it easier for your white blood cells to attack them.
Scientific evidence and findings on the impact hyperbaric oxygen therapy has on dementia symptoms
Research into the effect of HBOT on dementia is still sparse and difficult to verify because of the sheer number of dementia varieties out there. It’s almost impossible to claim that one treatment could be a cure for dementia when there are more common and rarer varieties out there, and HBOT would have to be studied on all of them to class it as a treatment option.
However, that’s not to say that initial research findings haven’t been promising in the idea that HBOT could help dementia patients with their symptoms. One study on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for mild traumatic brain injury found that their participants (40 civilians and military personnel with long-term symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury) who received one-hour HBOT sessions, five days a week for 40 sessions, showed significant improvements in their symptoms. These included memory, thinking speed, sleep quality, and depression. Most of the treatment group’s improvements lasted around three months after finishing treatment, suggesting that it could be an effective and lasting treatment option!
While this isn’t specifically about dementia, the fact that HBOT can have an effect on memory, thinking speed, and overall quality of life indicates a positive outcome for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, too.
Learn more about our treatment options for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Are there any potential risks or precautions to consider?
While many people undergo HBOT treatments without any risks or side effects, there are a few that you should be aware of before undergoing this treatment, including:
- Discomfort: You’re lying in a chamber with incredibly high amounts of pressure for anywhere from three minutes to two hours, so you might begin to feel uncomfortable under the pressure.
- Ear pain: High pressure levels can increase the likelihood of your ears popping, which might increase the risk of ear infections.
- Fatigue and lightheadedness: Your body is going through something unlike ever before, so it can be overwhelming and often leave you feeling faint after your session.
There are a few more severe side effects of HBOT, but these are rare. Still, here they are so you know exactly what you’re signing up for:
- Lung damage or collapse
- Fluid buildup within the middle ear
- Sinus damage
- Changes in vision for a few weeks after treatment
- Oxygen poisoning, which can lead to lung failure or seizures
- Low blood sugar
These side effects generally aren’t a problem as long as you’re not using the chamber for longer than two hours and the pressure inside is less than three times that of the normal atmospheric pressure. TH7 BodyLabs will screen you for these risks and only allow you to sign up for treatment if you’re not at high risk for them.
How often should you consider using hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dementia?
How often you should use HBOT to help with dementia symptoms all depends on your personal situation and medical advice. Some doctors might recommend you start off slow with only a few short sessions a week, while others might recommend daily treatments for a brief period of time. Certain studies have shown the most benefits come from daily sessions, such as 60 daily treatments within three months, but your doctor might have reservations about this depending on how advanced your symptoms are and other risk factors. We highly recommend working with a healthcare professional to create the best treatment plan for you.
FAQs
Who should not use HBOT?
HBOT isn’t always safe for everyone, so if you have any of the following ailments, we suggest skipping your session:
- Certain lung diseases that put you at an increased risk of a collapsed lung
- Already have a collapsed lung
- A cold or fever
- Recently had ear injury or surgery
- Suffer from claustrophobia or aren’t a fan of small and enclosed spaces
Is HBOT stressful?
HBOT has you lie in an enclosed chamber with a large amount of pressure on you, which doesn’t sound like the most fun idea for everyone – especially certain dementia patients. If your patient isn’t aware of the treatment plan or can’t remember why they’re in the chamber during a session, it can be extremely distressing and stressful. This is just one of the reasons why some dementia organisations aren’t in complete support of using HBOT as a definitive treatment option.
Final thoughts
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be a great treatment option for many things, and there’s even some research coming out that indicates its effectiveness on dementia patients. The increased pressure and heightened oxygen levels can help reduce the amyloid burden, which is a big contributor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. More optimised red and white blood cells can also deliver more oxygenated plasma to the brain and fight harmful bacteria, which might contribute to reduced dementia symptoms.
However, the initial research still has a long way to go before HBOT can be considered an effective treatment for dementia. There are also several side effects and risks to consider, so we highly recommend talking to your doctor beforehand to make sure this is the correct course of action for you.
