This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly enhances neurological function and quality of life in postoperative patients.
Background Surgical management of intracranial aneurysms frequently results in postoperative neurological impairments and diminished quality of life. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment to enhance neurological recovery and functional outcomes; however, its effectiveness remains debated. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of HBOT on clinical outcomes, neurological improvement, functional independence, and health-related quality of life in postoperative intracranial aneurysm patients. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HBOT combined with routine postoperative care versus routine care alone were identified through comprehensive database searches of PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP up to April 2025. Data were analyzed using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Risk ratios (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMD), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated as summary measures. Results A total of 11 RCTs, encompassing 2,268 patients, were analyzed. HBOT significantly improved clinical treatment efficacy (RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.11–1.28, p < 0.00001) and neurological function (SMD = −0.63, 95% CI: −0.78 to −0.48, p < 0.00001). Functional independence also improved markedly, demonstrated by higher scores in Activities of Daily Living (ADL; SMD = 1.24), Barthel Index (SMD = 1.00), and SF-36 total scores (SMD = 1.32). All outcomes showed statistically significant improvements with minimal heterogeneity ( I 2 = 0%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. Conclusion Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly enhances neurological recovery, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life in patients following intracranial aneurysm surgery. These results advocate for the clinical adoption of HBOT; nevertheless, additional high-quality, multicenter studies are necessary to confirm sustained long-term effects. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251086811 .
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Gao et al. (2025) studied this question.
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