Waiting with Bated Breath

Air Force medical researchers at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio anticipate having some preliminary findings as soon as this summer from their study of whether hyperbaric oxygen treatment helps in the recovery of wounded warriors who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. The study seeks to determine if exposing TBI patients to pressured, 100-percent oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber improves their cognitive abilities. The goal is to improve or restore the patient’s ability to think, remember, recognize, and concentrate. “It would be a great accomplishment if our study provides evidence that hyperbaric therapy can help these warfighters so they can be offered another opportunity to recover from their injuries,” said Dr. George Wolf, a physician directing the study. (AFPS report by Donna Miles)