A recent study investigated the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with escitalopram in patients with depression and also explored its effect on cognitive function.

70 patients with depression, meeting the diagnostic criteria of ICD-10 and aged between 18-65 years, who were under treatment, were selected for the study. They were equally randomized into the control group and observation group. The control group received escitalopram, while the observation group received additional treatment with HBO. The patients were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatment.

Two weeks after treatment, the HAMD score differed substantially between the two groups. However, these differences were not significant between the two groups four and six weeks after treatment. After Four and six weeks of treatment, the MoCA score showed statistically significant differences between the two groups.

Thus, Escitalopram combined with HBO presents rapid efficacy in the treatment of depression and has a certain effect on enhancing cognitive function.

Source: Pak J Med Sci. 2021 Jul-Aug;37(4):1054-1057. doi: 10.12669/pjms.37.4.3993. PMID: 34290782; PMCID: PMC8281171.