Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on the treatment of sleep disorders and its safety in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

A total of 71 recruited children were divided into two groups based on age: group 1, aged between 2 and 4 years; and group 2, aged between 4 and 6 years. The effects of HBO2 therapy on sleep quality were observed.

RESULTS

The total sleep items (TSIs) were significantly different in the two groups between pre-HBO2, post 10 HBO2 sessions, and post 20 HBO2 sessions (p < 0.01). A total of 15/38 (39.5%) participants in group 1 and 8/21 (38.0%) in group 2 presented difficulty in falling asleep; 17/38 (44.7%) in group 1 and 4/21 (19.0%) in group 2 had a short duration of sleep during the night; and 20/38 (52.6%) in group 1 and 11/21 (52.4%) in group 2 woke up easily in the night. No significant difference in the average TSIs in 59 participants was found after 10 HBO2 sessions. Eight participants had insomnia after the first 5 sessions, and three in group 2 had nocturnal hyperkinesia after 15 sessions. A seizure during decompression was observed in 2/59 participants (2/419 sessions).

DISCUSSION: These results indicate that HBO2 therapy is beneficial to improve sleep and is safe for children with CP; however, further studies are necessary to explore the mechanisms of HBO2 on sleep.