Original Research J Clin Psychiatry November 2024

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans With Combat-Associated Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial

JCP 2024;85(4):10.4088/JCP.24m15464

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry. Clinical Summary Many veterans with long-standing combat-associated posttraumatic stress disorder remain symptomatic despite trauma-focused psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, with intrusive symptoms especially difficult to remit. This trial tests whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy can deliver clinically meaningful improvement in a treatment-refractory veteran population without known traumatic brain injury. FAQ Did hyperbaric oxygen therapy improve PTSD symptoms in veterans with combat-associated posttraumatic stress disorder?

Key Takeaways The benefit signal was large despite a highly treatment-refractory sample: 68% of HBOT patients met the predefined CAPS-5 response threshold at treatment end versus 4% with sham, and 61% versus 4% remained responders 3 months later. Clinical Guide How do clinicians identify which veterans with combat-associated posttraumatic stress disorder are appropriate candidates for hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Clinical Guide How should clinicians implement and monitor the evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol for veterans with combat-associated posttraumatic stress disorder?