What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This process increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and improving cellular function. HBOT is used for various conditions, including wound healing, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness. Researchers are now exploring its potential benefits for long COVID patients.
How HBOT May Help for Long COVID
- Improving Oxygen Delivery: Long COVID may impair oxygen utilization in tissues, leading to fatigue and brain fog. HBOT enhances oxygen supply to cells, potentially improving energy levels and cognitive function.
- Promoting Neuroplasticity: Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction are common in long COVID. HBOT may support brain recovery by enhancing neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to repair and reorganize itself.
- Boosting Mitochondrial Function: HBOT can enhance mitochondrial efficiency, which is crucial for energy production. This may help combat post-viral fatigue.
What the Research Says
HBOT is one of the most researched treatments for long COVID – there are a lot of studies that show beneficial effects of HBOT for long COVID. Some of them are listed here individually, and also as part of articles that summarize many trials.
Key Studies on HBOT and Long COVID
Studies Showing Positive Effects:
- This study examined the long-term effects of HBOT in long COVID patients, showing that improvements in quality of life, sleep, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and pain levels persisted for over a year after treatment.
- This study investigated the effects of HBOT on six long COVID patients, showing improvements in cognitive function, pain levels, and respiratory symptoms over the course of treatment.
- This study was a randomized, sham-controlled trial that examined the effects of HBOT on long COVID patients. It found significant improvements in cognitive function, energy levels, sleep quality, psychiatric symptoms, and pain, with associated brain MRI changes indicating enhanced neuroplasticity.
- This study investigated the effects of HBOT on oxidative stress and inflammation in long COVID patients, showing potential benefits in reducing these factors and improving symptoms.
- This study was a randomized, sham-controlled trial that evaluated the effects of HBOT on long COVID patients. It demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive function, attention, energy levels, and psychiatric symptoms, with MRI findings showing changes linked to neuroplasticity.
- This review examined the potential benefits of HBOT for long COVID patients, discussing its effects on oxygen delivery, inflammation reduction, and neuroplasticity, and highlighting studies that show improvements in fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and pain.
Systematic Reviews of studies:
- This review systematically examined existing studies on HBOT for long COVID. It found that HBOT may improve quality of life, cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cardiopulmonary function, though more large-scale trials are needed.
- This review analyzed recent HBOT studies and clinical trials, highlighting improvements in cognitive function, fatigue, sleep quality, psychiatric symptoms, and cardiopulmonary function.
Final Thoughts
HBOT is a promising treatment for long COVID, with studies indicating potential benefits in reducing inflammation, improving oxygen utilization, and supporting brain recovery, as such, many patients report symptom relief. A typical session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. While the chamber is changing in pressure, you may feel your ears clogging, similar to a plane flight. Patients at risk may be those that have or have had lung and ear issues. Many clinics offer HBOT as a standalone service and have doctors on board to consult with whether the procedure is okay for you.
