PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF HYDROGEN GAS IN THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS
AT CENTRAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL NO. 2
Author
Nhữ Đức Thắng
Department of Rehabilitation, Central Psychiatric Hospital No. 2
Tel: +84 918 050 575
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To conduct a preliminary assessment of the safety, acceptability, and supportive efficacy of hydrogen gas (H₂) in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders at Central Psychiatric Hospital No. 2.
Subjects and Methods:
A descriptive, supportive intervention study was conducted on 55 patients diagnosed with mental disorders according to ICD-10/ICD-11 criteria, including both inpatients and outpatients. Hydrogen gas was administered as an adjunctive therapy, not as a replacement for standard treatment, over a period of 4 weeks. Evaluation indicators included safety, acceptability, and changes in clinical assessment scales (HAMA, PHQ-9, PSQI, GAF) before and after the intervention.
Results:
No serious adverse events related to hydrogen gas use were observed. More than 65% of patients rated the intervention as easy to accept. After 4 weeks, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality scores improved significantly (p < 0.05), while GAF scores increased, indicating enhanced overall functioning.
Conclusion:
Hydrogen gas application as a supportive therapy for patients with mental disorders appears to be safe, feasible, and potentially beneficial. Further studies with larger sample sizes and controlled designs are required to confirm its clinical effectiveness.
Keywords: Hydrogen gas; mental disorders; rehabilitation; oxidative stress.
1. INTRODUCTION
Mental disorders are chronic and complex conditions that significantly impair individual, family, and social functioning. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal dysfunction play important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.
In addition to pharmacological and psychological treatments, there is growing interest in adjunctive interventions that are safe, cost-effective, and biologically plausible. Hydrogen gas (H₂) has demonstrated selective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects, and has been studied in various biomedical and neurological contexts.
In Vietnam, the application of hydrogen gas in psychiatric care remains largely unexplored. This study was therefore conducted to preliminarily evaluate the safety and supportive effectiveness of hydrogen gas in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders at Central Psychiatric Hospital No. 2.
2. SUBJECTS AND METHODS
2.1 Study Subjects
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Sample size: 55 patients
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Study site: Central Psychiatric Hospital No. 2
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Participants: Inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with mental disorders according to ICD-10/ICD-11, including:
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Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (F20–F29)
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Mood disorders (F30–F39)
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Anxiety, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40–F48)
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2.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
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Inclusion criteria:
Clinically stable patients capable of cooperation and providing informed consent. -
Exclusion criteria:
Patients in acute phases, with severe agitation, or with serious comorbid medical conditions.
2.3 Study Design and Intervention
This was a descriptive, non-controlled supportive intervention study. Patients received hydrogen gas (via inhalation or hydrogen-rich water, depending on facility availability) 1–2 times daily for 4 weeks, alongside standard treatment regimens.
2.4 Assessment Tools
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Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA)
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Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
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Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
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Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
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Adverse Event and Tolerability Monitoring Form
2.5 Data Analysis
Data were analyzed using biomedical statistical software. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
2.6 Ethical Considerations
The study complied with biomedical research ethics and was approved by the hospital’s Scientific Council and Ethics Committee. Hydrogen gas was used strictly as an adjunctive therapy and did not replace standard clinical treatment.
3. RESULTS
3.1 General Characteristics
Among the 55 participants, 56.4% were male and 43.6% female. Inpatients accounted for 63.6%, while outpatients represented 36.4%. The most common diagnosis was schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (40%).
3.2 Safety and Tolerability
No serious adverse events were reported. A small number of patients experienced mild, transient discomfort during the initial days of intervention. Overall, 65.5% rated tolerability as good, and 25.5% as moderate.
3.3 Changes in Clinical Indicators
After 4 weeks, significant reductions were observed in HAMA, PHQ-9, and PSQI scores (p < 0.05). GAF scores increased, reflecting improvements in overall psychosocial functioning.
4. DISCUSSION
The findings indicate that hydrogen gas is safe and well-tolerated in a psychiatric treatment setting. Observed improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality may be associated with hydrogen’s antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, consistent with previous international studies.
However, the limited sample size and absence of a control group restrict definitive conclusions regarding efficacy. This study should be regarded as exploratory, providing a foundation for future controlled clinical trials.
5. CONCLUSION
The adjunctive use of hydrogen gas in the treatment and rehabilitation of mental disorders at Central Psychiatric Hospital No. 2 appears safe, feasible, and potentially beneficial. Larger-scale, controlled studies are warranted to further clarify its clinical role.
REFERENCES (SUGGESTED)
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Ohsawa I. et al. Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant. Nature Medicine.
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Ichihara M. et al. Hydrogen gas and neuroprotection. Medical Gas Research.
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Berk M. et al. Oxidative stress in psychiatric disorders. Biological Psychiatry.
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World Health Organization. ICD-10/ICD-11 Classification of Mental Disorders.
