Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for depression in the convalescent stage following cerebral hemorrhage

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment for depression in the convalescent stage following cerebral hemorrhage. A total of 60 cases of patients with depression in the convalescent stage following cerebral hemorrhage (2–6 months) were randomly divided into the treatment group (treated with HBO, 30 cases) and the control group (treated with Deanxit, 30 cases). Prior to treatment and at 4 weeks post-treatment, efficacy was evaluated by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and nerve function defect scores. There was a significant difference in the total efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05), and a significant difference in the HAMD scores (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment HAMD scores within the two groups (both P<0.05). HBO is able to significantly improve the degree of depression in the convalescent stage following cerebral hemorrhage and also promote nerve function recovery.