Outcome

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) demonstrates substantial potential as an effective treatment for post-stroke depression (PSD).

Introduction

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent but often inadequately addressed condition among stroke survivors especially in developing countries. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment for PSD. Through a detailed meta-analysis of 27 randomized clinical trials involving 2250 participants researchers found that patients who received HBOT had significantly higher response rates and reduced depression severity and neurological deficits compared to control groups. The therapy also improved physical disability scores measured by the Barthel Index and showcased superior results when combined with antidepressants compared to antidepressants alone. Furthermore HBOT monotherapy demonstrated a slightly higher response rate than antidepressant monotherapy. With fewer adverse events reported in the HBOT group—primarily ear pain—these findings suggest that HBOT is a promising and safe treatment option for mitigating the effects of post-stroke depression.

Results

The study examined the effectiveness and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating post-stroke depression (PSD) through a comprehensive meta-analysis of 27 randomized clinical trials involving 2250 participants.

Patients undergoing HBOT exhibited a significantly higher response rate (69.4%) compared to the control group (51.2%). Moreover HBOT led to substantial reductions in depression severity as evidenced by decreased scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale with HAMD-17 item scores dropping by an average of -4.33 points and HAMD-24 item scores by -4.31 points. Neurological assessments revealed similar trends with notable improvements on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) the Chinese Stroke Scale (CSS) and the Modified Scandinavian Stroke Scale (MASSS).

The treatment also had a positive impact on physical disability and daily living activities as measured by higher Barthel Index scores. Subgroup analyses provided additional insights indicating that studies involving fewer hemorrhage stroke patients (less than 20%) reported greater reductions in HAMD-17 scores.

Furthermore HBOT combined with antidepressants demonstrated superior outcomes compared to antidepressants alone. Even as a standalone treatment HBOT showed slightly better response rates than antidepressant monotherapy.

In terms of safety adverse events were fewer in the HBOT group than in the control group with ear pain being the most commonly reported side effect.

These findings affirm the efficacy and safety of HBOT in reducing depression severity improving neurological and physical functions and enhancing daily living activities in PSD patients.

Conclusion

In conclusion hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) emerges as a compelling and effective treatment for post-stroke depression (PSD). The analysis demonstrates that patients undergoing HBOT exhibit a significantly higher response rate and marked improvements in depression severity neurological deficits and physical disabilities compared to control groups. The therapy also positively impacts functional independence as indicated by improved Barthel Index scores. Notably HBOT shows enhanced efficacy in patients with fewer hemorrhagic strokes and proves more effective when combined with antidepressants even surpassing the benefits of antidepressant monotherapy. The treatment is generally safe with ear pain being the most frequent yet manageable side effect. These findings suggest that HBOT holds substantial promise as a therapeutic intervention for PSD warranting further research to fully elucidate its clinical applicability and optimize treatment protocols.