Testimonial

Cerebral Palsy

Daniel, aged 8 suffers cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia.

His mother states that she suffered late pregnancy complications, preeclampsia resulting with Daniel being delivered 12-weeks premature.

Diagnosis of cerebral palsy was not given until after 12-months of age where he had been observed to be behind the normal development milestones.

Daniel received corrective hip surgery and a course of several botox injections without sustained improvement.

MRI investigation prior to commencing HBOT revealed subtle T2 hyperintensity in the deep white matter adjacent to the posterior aspects of the atria of both lateral ventricles. This is consistent with developmental ‘terminal’ zones, which are commonly seen persisting into the first and second decades. The inferior periatrial white matter appears mildly attenuated bilaterally with slight prominence of the atria of both ventricles.

This can be seen as a sequel to periventricular leukomalacia related to prematurity. In addition, fluid signal intensity throughout the mastoid air cells bilaterally consistent with mastoid air cell inflammatory disease. Mild degree of mucosal thickening is present within the anterior ethmoid air cells and both maxillary antra.

After an initial problem associated with the noise during the compressive phase of the chamber procedure, Daniel settled extremely well. His mother has kept a diary record of his progress and after an initial 12 90-minute sessions reported the following :

“Daniel is now standing upright when attempting to walk with his crutches. Before therapy he was unable to walk independently more than a few steps at a time. Even with his crutches he would tend to lean forward completely supporting his weight over his crutches. He is now able to walk with his heels down. Before commencing HBOT he only ever walked on his toes or some times on the toes and ball of his foot.

Daniel is normally very weak in his trunk and tends to lean to one side when sitting for any period of time. When sitting in the car, he tended to fall over from side to side. Since starting HBOT he is now able to sit more upright. Previously he would lean backwards when seated on the toilet seat, now he sitting upright without requiring support.

Daniel’s walking with his crutches has also become a lot quicker. Daniel dresses himself in the mornings even though it is a big effort for him to do, but this is also becoming a lot quicker and less dramatic task for him to do.

At the age of 6-years, Daniel became a bed wetter, since commencing HBOT Daniel is now only having an accident at night approximately once per fortnight. Before treatment he used to wet his bed at least once per night.”

After 18 90-minute chamber sessions the parents reported that Daniel is now walking in excess of 18-minutes without the use of crutches. Before commencing HBOT treatments he was completely incapable of this accomplishment. Parents report that his 'walking has become a lot smoother, his legs are not as stiff and he is no longer walking like a ‘robot’. Daniel is now capable to lift his legs high enough to get himself into the car'.

His grandparents also reported that they have observed he is now capable of using his hand and fingers with greater dexterity. Daniel had difficulty with upper limb dexterity easily fatiguing when attempting to feed himself using a spoon and bowel. He is now capable of independently finishing his meal from a bowel. According to his grandparents’, this ‘activity has improved considerably’.