The treatment of TBI is critical; it is estimated that between 3.2 and 5.3 million Americans live with permanent disabilities as a direct result of a TBI. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) refer to injuries to the brain caused by an external physical force. Such injuries result in brain dysfunction, which can lead to cognitive impairments such as decreased attention, memory loss, and reduced cognitive flexibility as well as motor issues. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that HBOT may significantly reduce the negative symptoms experienced by TBI patients, even years after the incident.

Extivita Therapies for TBI:

1. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

2. Neurofeedback

3. Nutritional IV Therapy

4. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

5. Supplements

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT):

HBOT has been shown to improve cognitive function and quality of life in patients who experienced a mild TBI. Additionally, HBOT results in improved cognitive function (in multiple categories) in the case of moderate and severe TBI as well. These improvements were correlated with increased activity in the brain regions associated with each cognitive impairment.

Research suggests that increased tissue oxygenation, improved cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function, and improved inflammatory response, to name a few, are responsible for improving the following cognitive impairments:

1. Improved Memory (most improvement)

2. Reduced Attention Problems (high improvement)

3. Improved Executive Function

4. Increased Information Processing Speed

5. Improved Motor Skills

Effects of HBOT on Traumatic Brain Injury:

1. Decreased Inflammation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces systemic inflammation by increasing anti-inflammatory gene expression and decreasing pro-inflammatory genes.

2. Increased Stem Cell Activity

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy mobilizes stem progenitor cells (SPCs) from the bone marrow, creating the opportunity for tissue regeneration.

3. New Blood Vessel Formation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, healing injured tissues that we're unable to get nutrients and oxygen.

Neurofeedback:

Neurofeedback has been shown to improve many of the cognitive issues that patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) experience post-injury(6, 7). After a TBI, the brain must form new neural pathways to account for any brain tissue damaged by the TBI. These new connections play a vital role in restoring healthy brain function, and neurofeedback has been shown to help establish and help strengthen such connections(6). Most studies that use neurofeedback to help TBIs train to increase theta and alpha brainwaves in the occipital lobe (towards the back of the head). This has been shown to improve reduce stress (which has a negative physiological and emotional effect in TBIs), increase relaxation, and improve cognitive measures such as memory and processing speed.

IV Therapy:

The combination of the Myer’s cocktail and glutathione IV’s can improve cognitive and motor function following traumatic brain injury. A principal issue post-TBI is the degree of neuroinflammation, which is directly correlated with the severity of the short-term and long-term consequences of TBI. In TBI patients, the mitochondria in brain cells become damaged, activating immune cells (glia, microglia, and astrocytes). These immune cells release inflammatory cytokines which recruit even more inflammatory cells to the area. This results in brain cell swelling, death, decreased energy production, all of which lead to impaired cognitive and motor function(10).

The Myers cocktail IV contains Vitamin C and other antioxidants which have been shown to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. By doing so, Myer’s cocktail can help minimize further cell damage and improve brain health and function after a TBI(11, 12). Glutathione, the master antioxidant, has been used to reduce oxidative stress and enhance cellular detoxification and can be part of a multi-modal therapy in correcting the metabolic crisis in TBI.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF):

Micro vessels play a big role in the overall course of vascular diseases. Dysfunction to this system has been linked to a multitude of illnesses. The PEMF device has been shown to optimize the microcirculatory system, increasing perfusion to tissues and organs. When used in conjunction with HBOT, oxygen-rich blood can be delivered to these areas, where healing can begin.

Recent TBI News & Research:

VA Will Expand & Extend Participation In Its Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Program

Joe Rogan – Justin Wren – Can Hyperbaric Therapy Reverse Brain Damage?

Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill S.785 Signed into Law

Reprinted from Extivita