Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of depression

doi:10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.113572

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World Journal of Psychiatry

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.

World J Psychiatry. Mar 19, 2026; 16(3): 113572
Published online Mar 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i3.113572

Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of depression

Marya Ahsan, Saif Ahmed, Riyaz Ahamed Shaik, Mohammed Shakil Ahmad, Khulud Mahmood Nurani, Prashanth A

Marya Ahsan, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia

Saif Ahmed, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia

Riyaz Ahamed Shaik, Family and Community Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Shakil Ahmad, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Majmah University, Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia

Khulud Mahmood Nurani, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197-00100, Kenya

Prashanth A, Department of Physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Maharashtra 442102, India

Author contributions: Ahsan M, Ahmed S, Shaik RA, Ahmad MS, and AP designed the study; Shaik RA and Ahmad MS collected and analyzed data; Ahsan M, Ahmed S and Nurani KM drafted the manuscript; AP provided critical revisions; Nurani KM reviewed the manuscript; all authors reviewed and approved the final version.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare no conflicts of interest for this article.

PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.

Corresponding author: Khulud Mahmood Nurani, MD, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Mbagathi Road, PO Box 30197-00100, Kenya. khuludnurani@gmail.com

Received: August 29, 2025
Revised: October 26, 2025
Accepted: December 24, 2025
Published online: March 19, 2026
Processing time: 182 Days and 22.1 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been explored as a potential treatment for depression, with various studies indicating its benefits on psychological, cognitive, and functional outcomes.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in treating depression.

METHODS

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted to assess the impact of HBOT on depression. Studies were identified through database searches, screened for eligibility, and assessed for bias. Outcome measures included standardized depression scales, cognitive assessments, and functional evaluations.

RESULTS

It was observed across the 6 included trials that HBOT significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved functional outcomes across multiple studies. Improvements in psychological and neurological measures were consistently reported. Additionally, substantial relief from post-concussion symptoms and enhancements in cognitive and emotional well-being were noted. Some studies highlighted the correlation between physiological markers, such as hemoglobin A1c levels, and depressive symptoms, suggesting HBOT's broader therapeutic potential. Combining HBOT with pharmacological treatments showed rapid improvements in depression and cognitive function, further supporting HBOT's efficacy.

CONCLUSION

HBOT demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms and improving cognitive and functional outcomes. The therapy's potential benefits extended across various measures, indicate its potential as a multifaceted treatment for depression. Further research is recommended to explore HBOT's mechanisms and optimize treatment protocols.

Keywords: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; Depression; Systematic review; Cognitive function; Functional outcomes; Therapeutic efficacy

Core Tip: This systematic review synthesizes evidence from six randomized controlled trials evaluating hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjunct or stand-alone treatment for depression, including treatment-resistant and comorbid presentations. Across diverse populations, HBOT consistently reduced depressive symptom scores, improved cognition, functional independence, sleep quality, and cerebral perfusion, and in some studies accelerated response when combined with antidepressants. These findings position HBOT as a biologically plausible, multimodal neuromodulatory strategy for mood disorders that extends beyond symptom relief to neurocognitive recovery and functional restoration.