The Effect of Adding Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients With Delayed Encephalopathy After Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Randomised Controlled Trial

• Published in: Frontiers in neurology Vol. 12; p. 719765
• Main Authors: Cao, Huifang, Tan, Xiaona, Liu, Zibo, Zhao, Long, Chi, Lin, Li, Manyu, Liu, Chunhui, Li, Hongling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 01-12-2021
• Subjects: activities of daily living; cognitive function; delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning; hyperbaric oxygen; Neurology; transcranial direct current stimulation; cognitive function; hyperbaric oxygen; delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning; activities of daily living; transcranial direct current stimulation
• ISSN: 1664-2295; 1664-2295
• DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.719765

To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP).
A parallel-group, open-label randomised controlled study.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Room of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University.
A total of 40 patients were recruited for the current study. Patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group (20 cases/group).
Control group: conventional, individualised rehabilitation therapy. Treatment group: conventional, individualised rehabilitation therapy and tDCS.
cognitive function of patients, the Barthel Index (BI).
After treatment, significantly higher MMSE and BI scores, as well as a greater reduction in P300 latency and an increase in P300 amplitude, were observed in the treatment group compared to the control group (MMSE: 13 ± 7 vs. 9 ± 5; P300 latency: 342 ± 29 vs. 363 ± 17 ms; P300 amplitude: 7.0 ± 3.3 vs. 5.1 ± 2.7 μV; all
< 0.05). In both groups, however, MMSE and BI scores, in addition to P300 amplitude, were significantly improved; in contrast, there was a decrease in P300 latency in both groups after treatment compared to before treatment (all
< 0.05).
Combined with HBOT, tDCS can help improve cognitive function and ADL in patients with DEACMP. This combination therapy might be a helpful method to enhance the recovery of patients with DEACMP.