Concussion & persistent TBI symptoms
A promising path for persistent TBI symptoms.
For people still dealing with brain fog, sleep disruption, headaches, balance issues, or mood changes after a concussion, HBOT offers a non-invasive approach supported by a growing body of clinical research.
- Promising research
- Non-invasive therapy
- Personalized evaluation
Worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness, slurred speech, confusion, or loss of consciousness after a head injury needs emergency care — not a scheduled evaluation.
Why patients are exploring HBOT
HBOT may support recovery by temporarily increasing oxygen availability and influencing pathways involved in tissue repair, inflammation, and neuroplasticity.
A different approach
HBOT delivers high-concentration oxygen under pressure, increasing the amount of oxygen carried in the bloodstream during treatment.
Encouraging findings
Clinical studies have reported improvements in neurobehavioral symptoms, cognition, sleep, anxiety, balance, and quality of life in some patients.
A personalized next step
A clinical evaluation helps connect symptoms, history, goals, and safety factors to an individualized recommendation.
- Non-invasive
- Physician-guided
- Personalized evaluation
Open any section below for the detail.
What a concussion is, in plain language
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by an external force, such as a fall, collision, sports injury, vehicle accident, or blast exposure. This list is educational, not diagnostic.
Body
- Headaches or sensitivity to light/sound
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Reduced tolerance for physical activity
Thinking
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Slowed thinking or mental fatigue
Sleep & mood
- Changes in sleep
- Irritability, anxiety, or depressed mood
Persistent symptoms are not always caused by one process — sleep disorders, migraine, vestibular problems, pain, medication effects, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress can overlap, which is why careful evaluation and coordinated care matter.
What happens during treatment
- Pressure + oxygenBreathing oxygen inside a medical chamber above normal atmospheric pressure.
- More oxygen carried in bloodThe lungs can temporarily collect and deliver more oxygen through the bloodstream.
- Recovery pathways being studiedResearchers are examining whether that shift influences repair-related processes.
Pathways under investigation
- Oxygen availability in tissues during treatment
- Blood-vessel and cellular signaling
- Inflammatory and oxidative-stress pathways
- Mitochondrial function and energy metabolism
- Neuroplasticity and functional recovery
These recovery-related pathways help explain why HBOT continues to be studied for persistent symptoms after brain injury. A clinical evaluation helps determine whether this approach fits the individual.
Where the research stands
Recent blinded research and a 2025 meta-analysis report meaningful gains for some people with persistent symptoms after concussion or TBI. Below is the full picture — including each study's design and its limitations — so you can review it yourself.
2025 double-blind randomized trial
Greater reduction in overall neurobehavioral symptoms with HBOT versus minimal-pressure sham.
Reported gains included sleep, anxiety, vestibular symptoms, and smell. Mean 13-week symptom-score change was 10.6 with HBOT versus 3.6 with sham (between-group difference 7.0; 95% CI 1.7–12.3; p=.01). The trial was smaller than intended and the group was heterogeneous.
2025 systematic review & meta-analysis
Four studies and 250 patients: pooled improvements across several cognitive domains.
The review included only four heterogeneous studies, so the pooled result is a signal worth following rather than a settled conclusion.
Randomized crossover study
Reported improvements across symptom, cognitive, mood, sleep, and quality-of-life measures.
63 enrolled and 50 completed primary testing, with 40 sessions at approximately 1.5 ATA. The study was single-blind and not sham-controlled.
Randomized crossover study
Reported cognitive and quality-of-life improvements in people with persistent post-concussion symptoms.
A crossover study of 56 people with persistent symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. Findings are encouraging but do not establish HBOT as standard care.
HBOT for persistent symptoms attributed to concussion or TBI remains investigational and is not established as standard care. Findings are mixed and study populations are small, but the recent blinded work is a genuine reason some patients choose to be evaluated.
Progress is personal
Meaningful progress looks different for each person. Before treatment, the clinical team should identify functional goals and how they will be tracked.
- Headache burden
- Sleep quality
- Balance
- Cognitive stamina
- Activity tolerance
Individual results vary.
What an evaluation may involve
- Start with a conversationUse the clinic’s official contact page to request a conversation. Please do not include diagnoses, records, or other sensitive medical information in a public form.
- Review the clinical historyA qualified clinician may review injury timing and severity, current concerns, previous care, medications, and relevant records through an appropriate clinical process.
- Coordinate — not replace — standard careHBOT should not replace neurological evaluation, primary care, concussion rehabilitation, headache treatment, vestibular therapy, sleep care, behavioral-health care, or emergency treatment.
- Determine whether HBOT is medically appropriatePublished TBI studies commonly used 30 or 40 sessions at about 1.5–2.4 ATA, but no universally accepted TBI protocol exists. Pressure, duration, frequency, and number of sessions must be set by the treating clinician.
- Track function and reassessExamples: headache burden, sleep, balance, cognitive stamina, activity tolerance, or ability to participate in rehabilitation. Continued care depends on medical judgment, tolerance, and documented progress.
Safety and medical screening
Common considerations
HBOT is generally well tolerated when delivered in an appropriate medical setting, but it is not risk-free. Potential concerns include ear or sinus pressure injury, temporary vision changes, claustrophobia, blood-sugar changes, pulmonary complications, and oxygen-related seizures. Fire safety, equipment maintenance, trained staff, and continuous patient supervision are essential.
Who needs additional review
An untreated pneumothorax is an absolute contraindication. Lung disease, difficulty equalizing ear pressure, seizure disorders, certain medications, implanted devices, diabetes, heart failure, recent eye procedures, pregnancy, and other considerations require individualized assessment.
Cost and insurance coverage
Medicare's national HBOT coverage policy does not list concussion or TBI among its covered conditions. Private insurance policies vary, and some insurers classify HBOT for concussion or TBI as investigational. Coverage should be verified before treatment begins.
Hyperbarics of Sun Valley can explain the verification process and available payment information. Verification is not a guarantee that an insurer will authorize or pay a claim.
Common questions
Is HBOT a standard treatment for concussion or TBI?
No. HBOT for persistent symptoms attributed to concussion or TBI remains investigational and is not established as standard care. Research findings are mixed.
Does FDA clearance of an HBOT chamber mean concussion treatment is approved?
No. HBOT chambers are FDA-cleared Class II medical devices, but device clearance does not establish every proposed use as a cleared or approved treatment indication.
Does research prove HBOT regenerates injured brain tissue?
No. Some studies report changes in symptoms, cognitive testing, or functional imaging, but those findings do not prove damaged brain tissue was regenerated.
How many treatments would I need?
There is no standard TBI protocol. Studies often used 30 or 40 sessions, but a plan must be established and reassessed by the treating clinician.
How quickly should I expect results?
There is no reliable timeline, and improvement cannot be guaranteed. Individual responses vary.
Can HBOT replace concussion rehabilitation?
No. If considered, it should be an adjunct to appropriate medical and rehabilitative care.
Is HBOT safe?
It can be delivered safely for many appropriately screened patients, but side effects and serious complications are possible. Medical screening and monitoring matter.
Will insurance cover it?
Medicare does not nationally cover HBOT for concussion or TBI. Private-plan coverage varies and should be verified.
Start with a conversation
Not a commitment. Hyperbarics of Sun Valley can explain the evaluation process and help determine the appropriate next step.
208-928-7477info@hyperbaricsofsunvalley.com
613 North River Street, Hailey, Idaho 83333
Please do not include diagnoses, medical records, or other sensitive health information when you contact us.
This page is for educational purposes and does not provide a diagnosis, medical advice, or a guarantee of treatment eligibility or results. All treatment decisions require evaluation by an appropriately qualified clinician.