What is Long COVID?
Long COVID, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), encompasses persistent symptoms that linger even after recovering from the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection. These symptoms can endure for weeks or months, impacting individuals' quality of life. They can affect various organ systems and include fatigue, breathing difficulties, chest and joint pain, cognitive issues, sleep problems, taste and smell loss, and mood changes. Importantly, these symptoms can be distinct from initial COVID-19 symptoms and can affect individuals with both mild and severe past infections.
The cause of Long COVID is not fully clear, but it's thought to result from factors like lingering viral presence, immune response irregularities, and inflammation. It affects people of all ages, regardless of initial infection severity. Treating Long COVID is complex, as no specific treatment exists. A multidisciplinary approach involving different healthcare specialists is often necessary to address the diverse range of symptoms. Ongoing research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms and develop effective treatments to improve the lives of those grappling with these persistent symptoms.
How can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treat Long Covid?
Recently, a study was conducted by the research fund of Shamir Medical Center, Israel that investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on patients experiencing ongoing symptoms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or “Long COVID.” The study aimed to assess whether HBOT could improve cognitive, psychiatric, fatigue, sleep, and pain symptoms in these patients.
The trial involved 73 participants with post-COVID-19 conditions who were randomized to receive either 40 daily sessions of real HBOT or a sham procedure over a two-month period. The study evaluated cognitive function, quality of life, sleep, psychiatric symptoms, pain, and brain imaging before and after the treatment.
Results showed significant improvements in various domains following HBOT treatment. Cognitive function, particularly attention and executive function, showed improvement. Quality of life, sleep, and psychiatric symptoms such as depression and anxiety also improved. Additionally, pain interference and fatigue were reduced after HBOT.
Brain imaging analyses indicated increased cerebral blood flow and changes in brain microstructure in regions associated with cognitive and emotional functions. The study suggests that the positive effects of HBOT on post-COVID-19 symptoms may be attributed to increased brain perfusion and neuroplasticity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can lead to improvements in cognitive, psychiatric, sleep, pain, and fatigue symptoms in patients with “Long COVID”. These improvements may be linked to enhanced brain perfusion and neuroplasticity in specific brain regions. Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and explore long-term outcomes but these initial results are promising.
More About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen while inside a hyperbaric chamber, where the air pressure is higher than normal. Our body requires oxygen for proper functioning, and HBOT increases the amount of oxygen in the blood by exposing the body to higher atmospheric pressure. This process accelerates the body's natural healing by delivering more oxygen to tissues in need. It can aid in healing, combat infections, and address various medical conditions.
HBOT can be administered alone or alongside other medical treatments like medications or surgery. Sessions usually last 1 to 2 hours and are conducted on an outpatient basis. The therapy often utilizes hyperbaric chambers that maintain specific pressure levels. For instance, a two-person hyperbaric chamber used for HBOT might reach a pressure level of 3 ATA (atmospheres absolute). ATA is a unit describing hyperbaric pressure, where 1 ATA is the atmospheric pressure at sea level. Breathing 100 percent oxygen under 2 ATA pressure, for instance, provides the body with more oxygen to aid in healing processes.
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References
Zilberman-Itskovich, S., Catalogna, M., Sasson, E. et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 12, 11252 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15565-0
Received: 01 February 2022
Accepted: 27 June 2022
Published: 12 July 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15565-0