Curated PubMed/NIH peer-reviewed research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — covering TBI, stroke, long COVID, PTSD, aging, fibromyalgia, and diabetic wound healing. Resource for medical professionals.
Selected Peer-Reviewed Studies (PubMed/NIH-indexed)
The studies below are independent peer-reviewed research with no affiliation to Hyperbaric Health Int'l or OxyEdge™. Most use medical-grade HBOT; mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) operates at lower pressures (1.5–2.0 ATA) and is not a substitute for medical care. Nothing on this page is medical advice.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial
Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Abu Hamed R, Daniel-Kotovsky M, Catalogna M, Fishlev G, et al. — Aging (Albany NY), 2020. PMID: 33206062.
In a prospective clinical trial of healthy adults aged 64+, 60 sessions of HBOT significantly lengthened telomeres in T helper, T cytotoxic, NK and B cells (by 20–38%) and reduced the percentage of senescent T cells. Suggests HBOT can target cellular hallmarks of aging at the population level, independent of lifestyle changes.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve post concussion syndrome years after mild traumatic brain injury — randomized prospective trial
Boussi-Gross R, Golan H, Fishlev G, Bechor Y, Volkov O, Bergan J, et al. — PLoS ONE, 2013. PMID: 24260334.
Randomized crossover trial in patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms 1–6 years after mTBI. 40 HBOT sessions led to significant improvements in cognitive function and quality of life, supported by SPECT imaging changes consistent with reactivated neuronal activity in injured brain regions.
Hyperbaric oxygen induces late neuroplasticity in post-stroke patients — randomized, prospective trial
Efrati S, Fishlev G, Bechor Y, Volkov O, Bergan J, Kliakhandler K, et al. — PLoS ONE, 2013. PMID: 23335971.
Stroke patients 6–36 months post-event (well past the conventional rehabilitation window) showed significant neurological improvements after 40 HBOT sessions, with SPECT imaging confirming increased brain activity in stroke-affected regions. Provides direct clinical evidence for HBOT-induced neuroplasticity.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: randomized controlled trial
Zilberman-Itskovich S, Catalogna M, Sasson E, Elman-Shina K, Hadanny A, Lang E, et al. — Scientific Reports, 2022. PMID: 35790819.
Sham-controlled RCT in patients with post-COVID cognitive symptoms ≥3 months after infection. 40 sessions of HBOT produced significant improvements in global cognitive function, attention, executive function, energy, sleep, psychiatric symptoms, and pain — with structural changes seen on brain MRI.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilitates healing of chronic foot ulcers in patients with diabetes
Löndahl M, Katzman P, Nilsson A, Hammarlund C. — Diabetes Care, 2010. PMID: 20427679.
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers. HBOT significantly improved healing of Wagner grade 2–4 ulcers compared to sham, supporting HBOT's established role as adjunctive therapy in non-healing diabetic wounds.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves symptoms, brain's microstructure and functionality in veterans with treatment resistant post-traumatic stress disorder
Doenyas-Barak K, Catalogna M, Kutz I, Levi G, Hadanny A, Tal S, et al. — PLoS ONE, 2022. PMID: 36417354.
Prospective trial in combat veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. 60 HBOT sessions produced clinically meaningful reductions in CAPS-5 scores along with measurable changes in white-matter microstructure (DTI) and functional connectivity (fMRI) in regions implicated in PTSD.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can diminish fibromyalgia syndrome — prospective clinical trial
Efrati S, Golan H, Bechor Y, Faran Y, Daphna-Tekoah S, Sekler G, et al. — PLoS ONE, 2015. PMID: 26010952.
60 women with fibromyalgia received 40 HBOT sessions. Significant reductions in pain, tender point counts, and symptom severity were accompanied by SPECT imaging changes in brain regions associated with fibromyalgia pain processing. Many participants were able to discontinue analgesic medication.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve post stroke aphasia
Efrati S, Ben-Jacob E. — Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 2014. PMID: 24990013.
Review summarizing prospective trial data showing HBOT can induce neuroplasticity and improve cognitive and language function in chronic post-stroke patients, including those years removed from their initial event.
Tenth European Consensus Conference on Hyperbaric Medicine: recommendations for accepted and non-accepted clinical indications and practice of hyperbaric oxygen treatment
Mathieu D, Marroni A, Kot J. — Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, 2017. PMID: 28357821.
European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine consensus document grading the evidence for HBOT across 25+ indications. Provides Type 1 (strongly recommended) through Type 3 (optional) classifications for clinicians considering HBOT as part of a treatment plan.