Research  and  Investigational  Uses  of  HBO  


Dr. Sponaugle's quick escape from the attendant chamber.

The  Center  for  Hyperbaric  Medicine  currently 
treats only  those  indications  set   forth  by  The 
Undersea  and  Hyperbaric  Medical  Society.     

The  following  is  a  list  of  "off-label"  or 
investigational  uses  of  hyperbaric  oxygen  
therapy.  Randomized  clinical  studies  in  the
use  of  HBO  therapy  for  some  of  the  following 
disorders  is  currently  underway.  At  this  time, 
reimbursement  for  investigational  uses  of 
hyperbaric  oxygen  therapy  by  Medicare, 
Medicaid,  and  private  insurers  varies  from 
state  to  state. 

 -  Closed head injury
 -  Cyanide  Poisoning
 -  Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke)
 -  Myocardial  Infarction  (reduces  ischemia)    
 -  Hydrogen sulfide or carbon tetrachloride poisoning
 -  Frostbite (wound management)
 -  Fracture healing and bone grafting.
 -  Spider bite (Brown Recluse & Loxasceles reclusa)
 -  Sports injuries (related to wound management)
 -  Spinal cord injury
 -  Cerebral  Palsy
 -  Near drowning
 -  Electrocution (burns)
 -  Sickle cell crisis (related to anemia benefits)
 -  Rheumatoid arthritis
 -  Multiple sclerosis
 -  Lupus
 -  Scleroderma
 -  AIDS 


For  further  information  regarding  investigational  use 
or  randomized  clinical  studies  in  hyperbaric  oxygen 
therapy,  the  following  sites  are  recommended  :

-The  National  Institutes  of  Health

-The  Clinical  Trials  Clearinghouse

-The Database of Randomized Controlled Trials In 
  Hyperbaric Medicine

-Stroke  Center

-The  Institute  for  Environmental  Medicine - 
 University of  Pennsylvania

-Toronto General Hospital


Other  Reseach Sites of  Interest: