Aviv Clinics has conducted a groundbreaking retrospective cohort study demonstrating that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly enhance cognitive function in adults suffering from post-concussion syndrome (PCS) resulting from childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The study, carried out by the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center and Tel Aviv University, involved 26 adults who experienced TBI before age 17 and received at least 40 HBOT sessions after age 20, between 2017 and 2024.

The HBOT protocol employed in the study involved administering 100% oxygen at elevated atmospheric pressure, utilizing a 'hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox' approach to stimulate recovery.

Effect sizes ranged from medium to large, indicating that the therapy provides meaningful clinical benefits for participants.

Quantitative results showed significant improvements across multiple cognitive domains, including an 8.06-point increase in global cognition, 9.82 points in memory, 5.94 points in executive function, 8.50 points in attention, and 9.84 points in information processing speed.

Participants experienced substantial cognitive gains regardless of how much time had passed since their injury or the initial severity, highlighting the therapy's broad potential.

This study is notably the first to focus specifically on adults with PCS from childhood TBI, emphasizing the possibility of neuroplastic recovery even decades after the initial injury.