Abstract: Objective To observe the impact of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on blood pressure and heart rate in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods 48 adult SCI patients who accepted HBO therapy from March to November, 2014, were observed. Other 48 non-SCI patients matched sexes and ages were as the controls. Their blood pressure and heart rate were measured before chambering, before compression, HBO for 30 minutes, before decompression and at the end of decompression. The patients were divided into high SCI group and low SCI group based on the injury levels above or below T4. Results The blood pressure was lower in the high SCI patients than their controls (t>6.337, P<0.001), and increased as taking in the oxygen. There was no significant difference between the high SCI patients than their controls as they took in for 30 minutes and before the decompression (P>0.05). No difference was found between both groups in heart rate (P>0.05). For the low SCI patients, neither the blood pressure nor the heart rate was different from their controls (P>0.05). Conclusion The blood pressure may increase during HBO intaking in the high SCI patients, which need be paid attention to.

Key words: spinal cord injury, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, blood pressure, heart rate