HYPERBARIC THERAPY AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN – ROLE OF THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Abstract

Hyperbaric therapy is a specialized treatment involving breathing of pure medical oxygen under pressure. This is performed in a specially designed rigid shelled pressure vessels, also known as hyperbaric chambers. Under normal conditions, when breathing air, 100 ml of blood plasma contains 0.3 ml of dissolved oxygen. By increasing the pressure to 2 ATA, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma increases to 4.34 ml, and at 3 ATA, the amount of oxygen increases to 6.65 ml. This is approximately 20 times more. The combination of high pressure and increased oxygen concentration makes the hyperbaric therapy highly effective. This therapy can show significant results after 15-40 sessions. The oxygen absorbed during these sessions accumulates in the body, and as a result, its beneficial effects persist even after the treatment course is complete. For each patient, the positive effects are observed after a varying number of sessions for each patient. To assess the effectiveness of the therapy, it is necessary to continuously monitor patients both during the procedure and during the recovery period. Preparation, proper conduct and post-treatment observation are essential for achieving good outcomes for the patient, and this depends on the medical specialists conducting the therapy. The health professionals undergo additional training and qualification to operate hyperbaric chambers and to supervise the patients undergoing therapy. They are competent in tracking and assessing the effectiveness of the procedure and educating parents of children with disabilities on the proper use of hyperbaric therapy to achieve maximum benefits and improve their condition. The hyperbaric therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions, with some of the most significant results observed in children with disabilities. One of the most common uses is in improving the quality of life for children with Autism, cerebral palsy and cognitive impairments. Autistic traits are present from early childhood and are characterized by a combination of cognitive and neurological disorders.
Objective: To investigate the impact of hyperbaric therapy on the cognitive abilities of children with disabilities and to assess the role of healthcare professionals in educating parents about pre-therapy preparation and monitoring the therapy outcomes.
Materials and methods: A survey was conducted via an online questionnaire from February 2024 to November 2024, with respondents from across the country. A total of 209 individuals were randomly selected from over 90 cities nationwide. Documentary and sociological methods were used, including direct surveys and statistical
analysis, to collect, analyze and present the results.
Results and Discussion: The analysis of the results indicates that the cognitive abilities of children with developmental issues improve significantly after undergoing hyperbaric therapy. Improvements were observed in eye contact, attention span and the ability to perform age-appropriate logical tasks. The analysis highlights the significant role of the healthcare professional in educating parents of children with disabilities on the proper use of the therapy and achieving optimal results.