Kitala D, Łabuś W, Kozielski J, Strzelec P, Nowak M, Knefel G, Dyjas P, Materniak K, Kosmala J, Pająk J, Czop J, Janda-Kalus B, Marona B, Nowak-Wróżyna A, Gierek M, Szczegielniak J, Kucharzewski M, et al.
Journal of clinical medicine. Date of publication 2022 Dec 30;volume 12(1):.
1. J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 30;12(1):308. doi: 10.3390/jcm12010308.
Preliminary Research on the Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Patients with
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.
Kitala D(1), Łabuś W(2), Kozielski J(2), Strzelec P(2), Nowak M(2), Knefel G(2),
Dyjas P(2), Materniak K(2), Kosmala J(2), Pająk J(2), Czop J(2), Janda-Kalus
B(2), Marona B(2), Nowak-Wróżyna A(2), Gierek M(2), Szczegielniak J(3),
Kucharzewski M(2).
Author information:
(1)Medical Research Agency, Stanisława Moniuszki 1a St., 00-014 Warsaw, Poland.
(2)Dr Stanisław Sakiel Center for Burns Treatment, Jana Pawła II 2, 41-100
Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland.
(3)Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of
Technology, Prószkowska 76, 45-758 Opole, Poland.
Negative consequences and medical complications of COVID-19 can persist for up
to several months after initial recovery. These consequences can include stroke,
diabetes, decreased lung diffusing capacity, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis,
arrhythmia, myocarditis, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, heart rate
fluctuations, sleep problems, memory problems, nervousness, anxiety, and other
neurological disorders. Thirty-one patients who reported symptoms related to
previous COVID-19 disease of both sexes were enrolled in the initial program.
The patients underwent compression sessions in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber.
Each patient underwent a cycle of 15 compressions. Before the first session,
each participant completed a venous blood gas test, a Fullerton test, and two
spirometry tests (one before the Fullerton test and one after the test).
Patients completed psychotechnical tests, a questionnaire on quality of life
(Polish version of EQ-5D-5L), and a questionnaire on specific symptoms
accompanying the disease and post-infection symptoms. The results showed
significant improvements in areas such as quality of life, endurance and
strength, some spirometric parameters, the anion gap and lactate levels, working
memory, and attention in the group of treated patients. In contrast, there were
no changes in pH, pO2, pCO2, glucose, and excess alkaline values. A follow-up
interview confirmed that the beneficial effects were maintained over time.
Considering the results obtained, including the apparent improvement in the
patient's clinical condition, it can be concluded that the use of 15 compression
sessions was temporarily associated with a noticeable improvement in health and
performance parameters as well as improvement in certain blood gas parameters.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010308
PMCID: PMC9821575
PMID: 36615108
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
