1. EFFECT OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY ON H-REFLEX AND GRIP STRENGTH
M. SABBAHI, OVAK BITTAR, M. BADGHAISH, A. AL-MALKI
TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, HOUSTON, TX AND MEDICAL PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER, JEDDAH, KSA

2. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF HBOT ON H-REFLEXES AND GRIP STRENGTH BEFORE AND AFTER 15 MIN. CYCLING IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

3. HYPOTHESIS
APPLICATION OF HBOT PREPARING THE METABOLIC SYSTEM TO FUNCTION FOLLOWED BY EXERCISESWILL INCREASE THE FUNCTION OF THE NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM TO GENERATE HIGHER MOTOR OUTPUT FOR BETTER ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING.

4. MATERIAL AND METHODS
SUBJECT: 19 Healthy subjects ( 8 female and 11 males).
Age:
HBOT single chamber
EMG: soleus H-reflexes were recorded from soleus muscles (1 msec., 0.2 H-max) using our method (Sabbahi & Khalil, xxx)
Maximum Grip strength (right and left) using hand-held dynamometer.
Cycle ergometer.

5. Pictures for HBOT, EMG unit, H-reflex pathway, traces & placement electrodes for the soleus muscle only

8. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Subject signed consent form.
Soleus H-reflex was tested during pronelying (Right, left)
Soleus H-reflex was then tested during neutral stand (Right, left)
Maximum grip strength tested ( right, left); trials each.
3PSI (80-90% O2) for 60 min.
Post HBOT/grip strength tests & H-reflex tests
Cycling for 15 min.
Post cycling tests.

9. Data Analysis Five representitive H-traces averaged for each trial.
Measurements: Peak-to-peak amplitude and deflection latency.
Average (3) and maximum grip strength for each trial.
Descriptive statistics.
Correlation of grip strength & H-reflexes

10. RESULTS
H-Reflex was significantly increased in amplitude after HBOT during lying & standing.
H-Reflex showed further increase post cycling.
No measurable changes in H-latency.
Grip strength was significantly increased post HBOT & Post cycling
Any correlation (Fiki ????)
Fig., Fig., & tables

11. Sol H-reflex amp Mean±SD ,mV
Lying
Standing
Right
Left
Average
Before HBOT
4.03±3.34
4.6±3
4.3±3.1
3.9±2.75
4.4±2.9
4.16±2.78
After HBOT
4.8±3.7
5±3.4
4.9±3.5
4.1±2.97
4.8±3.3
4.45±3.13
After Cycling
4.4±3.6
4.2±3.3
4.3±3.3
4.7±4.2
5.2±4.4
5±4.2

17. The best Grip
Right
Left
Average
Before HBOT
56±21.8
52.6±21.5
54.3±21.4
After HBOT
62.5±21.1
58.3±24.5
60.4±24.6
After Cycling
73±24.9
72±27
72.5±25

19. DISCUSSIONS-1
The increased H-reflex amplitude post HBOT indicates increased muscle spindle sensitivity &/or excitability of from the increased circulation of the oxygenated blood in the neuromuscular system.
This may be the underlying cause of the increased grip strength post HBOT.

20. DISCUSSIONS-2
Cycling (for 15 min.) may cause further increase in the circulatory oxygenated blood in the muscular system. This may be the cause of further increased grip strength.
Any correlation (FIKI, FIKI)

21. CONCLUSIONS
HBOT INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH VIA INCREASING EXCITABILITY OF MONOSYNAPTIC AND SPINAL MECHANISM THROUGH THE CIRCULATING OXYGENATED BLOOD.
HBOT COULD BE A GOOD ADJUNCT METHOD TO BE ADDED TO REHABILITATION ARSENALS.

22. REFERENCES
H-REFLEX ARTICLES (SABBAHI & KHALIL), ALI & SABBAHI (H-REFLEX LOADING & UNLOADING)