Hyperbaric Oxygen and Focused Rehabilitation Program: A Feasibility Study in Improving Upper Limb Motor Function After Stroke.

Neuroplasticity and recovery after stroke can be enhanced by a rehabilitation program pertinent to upper limb motor function exercise and mental imagery (EMI) as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We assessed the feasibility and safety of the combined approach utilizing both HBOT and EMI, and derived preliminary estimates of its efficacy. In this randomized controlled trial, twenty-seven patients with upper extremity hemiparesis 3-48 months after stroke were randomized to receive either a complementary rehabilitation program HBOT-EMI (intervention group), or EMI alone (control group). Feasibility and safety were assessed as total session attendance, duration of sessions, attrition rates, missing data, and intervention-related adverse events. Secondary clinical outcomes were assessed with both objective tools and self-reported measures at baseline, 8 weeks (end of treatment), and 12-weeks follow-up. Session attendance, duration and attrition rate did not differ between the groups; there were no serious adverse events. Compared to baseline, there were significant sustained improvements of objective and subjective outcomes' measures in the intervention group, and a single improvement in an objective measure in the control group. Between-group outcome comparisons were not statistically significant. This study demonstrated that the combination HBOT-EMI was a safe and feasible approach in patients recovering from chronic stroke. There were also trends for improved motor function of the affected upper limb after the treatments. Registration-URL:https://www.clinicaltrials.com NCT02666469. NOVELTY: - HBOT combined with an upper limb exercise and mental imagery rehabilitation program is feasible and safe in chronic stroke patients. - This combined approach showed trends for improved functional recovery.