Groundbreaking COVID Research

Long Covid and its long-term effect on our brain

A groundbreaking study by the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at Shamir Medical Center, in collaboration with Tel Aviv University, suggests that the corona virus may cause chronic brain damage that affects brain areas responsible for cognitive function, mood regulation, and pain syndromes, as well as sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety (the anterior frontal lobe). After its damaging effect, the brain tissue requires a proactive and therapeutic intervention in order to heal.

Long Covid and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

Previous studies, as well as experience gained in treating hundreds of patients at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research over the years, demonstrate the ability of designated HBOT protocols incorporating pressure chamber use to improve and treat brain injuries, such as stroke, brain trauma, age-related cognitive decline, and PTSD. HBOT causes the body to accelerate healing processes in damaged tissues, creation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), activation and increased generation of stem cells, and formation of new neurons, in addition to improving brain metabolism – all of which have a beneficial effect on cognitive and physiological abilities.

Our center was the first worldwide to implement a therapeutic HBOT protocol for patients suffering from post-Covid syndrome – long Covid – in a controlled study.

A brief description of the research model and its results

In 2020-2021, a randomized, sham-control, double blind clinical trial was carried out, with extremely positive results reported.

• 73 patients diagnosed with long Covid were divided into two groups: An HBOT treatment group – treatment protocol in a pressure chamber of 100% oxygen at 2ATA with fluctuations in the oxygen values every 20 minutes; and the control group – air at normal atmospheric pressure, 21.3% oxygen at 0.2ATA.
• The participants all received a control treatment (entry into a pressure chamber with no change in oxygen levels) or treatment in a pressure chamber five days a week for two hours in each treatment and completed a series of 40 treatments.

A comprehensive assessment was conducted using brain imaging – MRI, cognitive tests, physiological assessment, and a thorough symptom analysis.

Result summary

The HBOT group experienced an objectively significant improvement according to the analysis of the assessment tests, in addition to a significant improvement in the range of post-Covid symptoms and in the daily functions. In contrast, the control group participants did not report an improvement, with their test results indicating a relatively similar state to their health condition prior to the start of the treatments.

Specifically, the HBOT group demonstrated significant cognitive improvement with regards to the affected brain areas, which are responsible for attention and executive functions. In addition, a significant improvement in energy levels, ability to sleep, a significant decrease in pain levels along with a reduction in psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, were reported and demonstrated.

The unique research conducted at Shamir Medical Center’s Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research and its results was featured on the Ulpan Shishi program on Channel 12: