Where the research on concussion stands.
Most people recover from a concussion within weeks. Some keep having headaches, poor focus, sleep trouble or irritability for months. That group is where interest in hyperbaric oxygen therapy for concussion comes from, and it is where most of the studies have been done.
HBOT means breathing oxygen inside a chamber pressurized above normal air pressure. The idea behind the concussion research is that more oxygen reaching injured brain tissue may support repair. That idea is still being tested. Suntree does not offer HBOT as a treatment for concussion, and nothing on this page should replace care from your physician or neurologist.
What research says about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for concussion.
The trials point in different directions, which is why careful sources call this investigational.
- A crossover trial in Israel reported better scores on memory and attention tests after 40 sessions in people with symptoms years after a mild brain injury. There was no sham chamber, so the placebo effect could not be ruled out.
- A U.S. military trial compared HBOT with a sham chamber that used low pressure and air. Both groups improved about the same, and the authors concluded the benefit did not appear to come from the oxygen.
- Protocols differ from study to study in pressure, session length and session count, so results from one trial do not transfer neatly to another setting.
If you are reading about HBOT after a brain injury, it helps to read the abstracts below yourself. Our page on cognitive concerns and HBOT covers related questions about memory and focus.
Stroke recovery is a separate question.
A stroke that is happening now is a medical emergency. Call 911. HBOT is not an emergency stroke treatment, and Suntree is not an emergency facility.
For acute stroke, a Cochrane review of 11 trials found no good evidence that HBOT improved outcomes. Separately, some researchers are studying HBOT months or years after a stroke, when recovery has slowed. One randomized trial reported gains in function after 40 sessions, but it was not blinded and needs to be repeated. Results vary, and HBOT is not FDA-cleared for stroke recovery.
What the FDA says.
The FDA has published a consumer caution about HBOT claims for conditions it has not been cleared for. Stroke and sports injuries are on that list, along with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and depression. You can read the FDA consumer update on hyperbaric oxygen therapy before making any decision.
Cleared uses are a short list that includes decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning and certain non-healing wounds. Concussion and stroke recovery are not on it.
Bring your neurologist into the conversation.
If you still want to explore HBOT as a wellness option after a brain injury or stroke, start with the physician who knows your history. Some risks matter more for this group: a history of seizures, blood thinners and other medications, recent surgery, trouble clearing the ears, and anxiety in enclosed spaces.
Your physician can share records through our physician and patient referral page. The Suntree team then reviews your health history before any session. The first-visit guide explains what that review looks like, and our guide on session counts explains why no website can tell you how many sessions you need.