As we age, cognitive decline becomes a significant concern, with more than half of community-dwelling individuals over sixty expressing worry about their mental sharpness. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be an effective intervention to enhance cognitive functions in healthy aging adults.
A randomized controlled trial involving 63 healthy adults aged 64 and above explored the effects of HBOT on cognitive abilities. Participants were divided into two groups: 33 individuals received HBOT, while 30 were placed in a control group, with the intervention lasting three months. The primary focus was on measuring general cognitive function post-intervention, while cerebral blood flow (CBF) was assessed using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The study's results were remarkable. Those who underwent HBOT showed significant improvements in global cognitive function compared to the control group. The most substantial benefits were observed in areas critical for daily functioning such as attention and information processing speed.
To explore in more detail go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7377835/
