Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Cognitive Function on Autistic Spectrum Disordered Children

Hyperbaric oxygenation chambers are FDA-approved and regulated devices. Hyperbaric
oxygenation therapy (HBOT) is a medical procedure in which participants inspire enriched
oxygen while their bodies are subjected to pressure greater than ambient barometric pressure
at sea level (i.e., greater than 1 atmosphere absolute, or 760 mmHg). Hyperbaric oxygen
therapy elevates tissue oxygen levels, thereby increasing the rate of tissue healing, and
enhancing leukocyte-mediated phagocytosis. It may also elevate growth factors, which
promotes angiogenesis and healing (Siddiqui, Davidson, & Mustoe, 1997).

While HBOT is most often used in wound healing and serious infections, it has been utilized
in treating various disorders, most notably in cerebral palsy (Liptak, 2005; Marois &
Vanasse, 2003) and other conditions, including fetal alcohol syndrome (Stoller, 2005), brain
injury (Rockswold, 1993), and stroke (Helms, 2005) (see Joiner, 2002 for a review). The
rationale for using HBOT in participants with neurological and developmental disorders is to
relieve hypoxia, which often accompany these conditions. This leads to improvements in
microcirculation and relief of cerebral edema by vasoconstriction, therefore leading to
decreases in the symptom characteristics.

HBOT is implemented in various dose pressures (ATA) by practitioners for the treatment of
symptoms of autism, averaging around 1.3-1.5 atmospheres for one hour sessions, for a
minimum of 40 sessions. The results of HBOT are presumed to be long-term, but systematic
examination of both short-term and long-term effects is currently warranted.

Inclusion Criteria:

- • Males and females from 6 to 75 years of age with typical cognitive function and no
neurologic or psychological diagnoses potentially impairing cognitive function

- No anticipated changes in treatment for the study duration (e.g., diet,
nutrients)

- No additional biomedical treatments started 6 weeks prior to enrollment

- No changes in dietary management for 3 months prior to enrollment

- Access to Pediatric Partners on a daily basis, or as necessary for the study
participation

In addition, the participant must be:

- Ambulatory or require minimum support walking

- Able to sit still for 12 minutes or longer for the purposes of test administration

- Adequate vision and hearing for the purposes of test administration, per parent

- Able to read and understand basic instructions

- Adequate arm-hand-finger coordination for computer use in outcome measurement

- Medical disorders, if present, must be stable and controlled

- Willing to participate by attending regularly scheduled appointments and completing
the necessary measures

- Previous exposure to hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

Current otitis media Sinus infection Asthma Pulmonary cysts Emphysema Upper respiratory
infection Severe claustrophobia, intolerance to being in the chamber Unstable/uncontrolled
disorder of any kind