Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at the Shamir Medical Center have demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) improves the condition of PTSD sufferers who have not responded to psychotherapy or psychiatric medications.
The researchers: “Our unique therapeutic protocol affects the biological brain ‘wound’ associated with PTSD, and effectively reduces typical symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and irritability. We believe that our findings give new hope to millions of PTSD sufferers and their families, all over the world.“
Prof. Efrati: “Due to our unfortunate circumstances, Israel has become a global leader in the field of PTSD. Before the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, approximately 6,000 IDF veterans had been recognized as PTSD sufferers, with many others, both soldiers and citizens, not yet acknowledged by the authorities. Following Oct. 7 and the ensuing war, these numbers have risen sharply.
Tens of thousands of soldiers, and much larger numbers of civilians, are likely to be diagnosed with PTSD. The world-leading Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, the largest of its kind in the world, is rising to the challenge – with a comprehensive therapeutic array comprising hyperbaric facilities combined with diverse mental health professionals, psychologists and psychiatrists. At present we treat hundreds of PTSD sufferers every day, aiming to reach one thousand patients per year.”
Dr. Doenyas-Barak: “PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is defined as the mental outcome of exposure to a life-threatening event. About 20% of those who have undergone such an experience will develop PTSD, which can lead to substantial social, behavioural, and occupational dysfunctions. In extreme cases, the disorder can severely impact their quality of life, family life, and professional performance.
Symptoms include a range of emotional and cognitive changes, nightmares and flashbacks, hypervigilance, irritability, and avoidance – so as not to trigger traumatic experiences. In many cases, PTSD is resistant to psychotherapy and common psychiatric medications. Past studies on therapy-resistant sufferers have found changes in the structure and function of brain tissues, or a ‘biological wound’ that explains such treatment resistance. In our study, we wanted to determine whether hyperbaric therapy can help these patients.”
The results were encouraging, with improvements observed both at the clinical level and in fMRI imaging. The group that received hyperbaric therapy showed improved connectivity in brain networks, alongside a decline in all typical PTSD symptoms. In the placebo group, on the other hand, no change was observed in either the brain or clinical symptoms.
The study was led by Prof. Shai Efrati and Dr Keren Doenyas-Barak from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at the Shamir Medical Center. Other contributors include Dr Ilan Kutz, Gabriela Levi, Dr Erez Lang, Dr Amir Asulin, Dr Amir Hadanny, Dr Ilia Beberashvili from the Shamir Medical Center, and Dr Kristoffer Aberg and Dr Avi Mayo from the Weizmann Institute. The paper was published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
based on the press release of TAU. Selected/Shortened/Edited by VonNaftali