Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of early hyperbaric oxygen therapy on function recovery in spinal cord injury(SCI)patients.Methods216 SCI patients were randomly divided into early hyperbaric oxygen therapy group(E, 108 cases)and late hyperbaric oxygen therapy group(L, 108 cases).The patients in both groups received the similar rehabilitation and medicine treatment. The effects were assessd by the American Spine Injury Association(ASIA)and modified Barthel index(MBI).ResultsThere was no difference between two groups before treatment, and the scores improved significantly after treatment, but the scores of the group E was significantly higher than that of the group L. ConclusionHyperbaric oxygen therapy can facilitate the function recovery, and it is better to interfere early.

Key words: spinal cord injury (SCI), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, rehabilitation