At a glance

HBOT means breathing high-purity medical oxygen in a chamber with higher air pressure than normal. It has recognised uses for specific conditions, but that does not mean every advertised benefit is proven. Ask how the evidence applies to you, what treatment involves and what risks to consider.

What are HBOT and HBO₂?

HBOT is short for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You breathe high-purity medical oxygen inside a chamber where the pressure is higher than the air around us. This helps the body take in more oxygen. It is different from using extra oxygen at normal pressure. MedlinePlus explains the difference.

HBO₂ is another name you may see for the same type of treatment. Neither name tells you the pressure, oxygen supply or number of sessions. Ask about those details when comparing treatment options.

Oxygen is part of the prescribed treatment. Its concentration, the chamber pressure and the session length must match the clinical plan. For an explanation of the gas supply, see why high-purity medical oxygen matters.

What counts as HBO₂?

HBO₂ is prescribed and supervised by a physician. The UHMS definition calls for a hard-sided chamber built to ASME PVHO-1 and NFPA 99, at not less than 2.0 ATA, with medical oxygen above 99% purity. Read the UHMS 2026 position statement.

What is it already used for?

Medical uses include decompression sickness in divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas bubbles in blood vessels and certain serious wounds and infections. These are specific situations where a clinical team may recommend HBOT. See the MedlinePlus overview.

Ask your doctor why they are considering it for you and how it would fit with your other care. What would count as an improvement? How would they decide whether to continue? A list of possible uses cannot tell you whether treatment is right for you.

For a closer look at individual conditions and the studies behind them, read what hyperbaric treatment can help with.

How should I understand new research?

Some studies suggest possible benefits but cannot prove that treatment caused them. For example, a 2024 study recorded results for 378 people treated for 45 conditions outside the professional society’s recognised list at the time. There was no untreated group to compare them with. The findings can help guide more research, but improvement after treatment is not proof of improvement because of treatment. Read the registry study.

The 2025 HOT-LoCO trial (Kjellberg et al., BMJ Open) compared ten HBOT sessions with a simulated treatment for people with long COVID. At 13 weeks, it found no statistically significant difference between groups in its two main measures of physical function. In everyday terms, those results did not clearly show an advantage for HBOT under the tested conditions. Read the HOT-LoCO study.

That result applies to the people and treatment schedule studied. It does not settle every possible use or schedule. These are examples of research, not a review of every study.

Five questions to ask about a claimed benefit

  1. Who took part? Were their health problems and circumstances like mine?
  2. What was it compared with? Was there a group receiving another treatment or a simulated treatment?
  3. What improved? Did people feel or function better, or did only a test result change?
  4. How long did it last? Were people checked after treatment ended?
  5. Is my proposed treatment similar? Does it use comparable pressure, oxygen delivery and session numbers?

Ask the clinician to explain what is well supported, what is uncertain and how that affects the advice they give you.

Ask about safety as well as benefits

The FDA’s safety advice stresses following the equipment instructions, training staff and supervising patients. It also highlights fire risks when oxygen levels are high.

Before agreeing to treatment, ask your clinical team about the risks for you, what they do to reduce them and what other treatment options you have.

US medical information does not confirm whether a Dubai clinic is licensed or which services it may offer. Our Dubai clinic guide explains what to check before booking.

Common questions

Are HBOT and HBO₂ the same thing?

Both names are used for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Ask about the actual chamber, oxygen supply, pressure and session schedule, because those details can differ.

Does research prove every advertised benefit?

No. A study applies to the people, condition and treatment it examined. Ask for the original research and have your clinician explain how it relates to you.

How do I find out whether HBOT might suit me?

Start with a medical assessment. Ask about possible benefits, risks, alternatives and the proposed sessions. If you are considering Dubai, our clinic guide helps you prepare for that conversation.

Sources & further reading

This guide gives general information. Ask a qualified doctor whether treatment is right for you, what the risks are and what other options you have.