Hyperbaric oxygen and exercise improve poststroke working memory
In a trial of 36 older stroke patients, a two-week combined regimen shortened working memory reaction times more than either intervention alone.
Research Square
In 36 older patients with stroke, combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improved working memory more than either treatment alone. Participants with stroke duration of 6 to 12 months were assigned to a control group, exercise, hyperbaric oxygen, or both for two weeks.
Compared with controls, all three intervention groups significantly reduced reaction times during an n-back task, with the combined group showing the greatest improvement. Every intervention significantly raised serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, with the largest VEGF gains seen after combined therapy. Furthermore, oxyhemoglobin levels in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex significantly decreased in all treated groups, an alteration that independently predicted the recovery of working memory speed.
Why it matters
Working memory impairments affect a majority of stroke survivors and severely limit daily living. Pairing metabolic and oxygen-based interventions may support cognitive rehabilitation by driving neurotrophic signaling and improving prefrontal oxygenation efficiency in the aging brain.
Caveats
This study is a preprint that has not yet undergone peer review. The trial examined a small sample of 36 participants over a brief two-week treatment period, meaning longer-term outcomes remain unaddressed.
The paper
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Zhiqiang Gao, Liwei Ye, Shan Chen, Jiali Yu, Guoxing Ren, Gangzheng Yao, Nian Wu, Yingxia Lei, Ziqi Lian, Chenxi Zhang,Wuhan Sixth Hospital
Research Square · 27 Sep 2026 · Preprint, not peer-reviewed