Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy improve sleep quality for patients with PTSD?
Sleep problems are very common in PTSD, often linked to brain inflammation and autonomic dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which may reduce inflammation and promote brain repair. Several studies have tested HBOT for sleep in PTSD and related conditions, with promising results.
What the research says
A 2026 retrospective study of 123 PTSD patients found that 60 HBOT sessions significantly improved sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.91) 9. Improvements were seen in subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and sleep disturbances 9. A 2025 double-blind randomized trial in brain injury patients (many with PTSD) reported that 40 HBOT sessions led to greater improvement in sleep difficulties compared to sham treatment 10. An earlier 2018 sham-controlled trial in military personnel with mild traumatic brain injury (35% met PTSD criteria) also found that HBOT improved self-reported sleep measures on the PSQI at 13 weeks 11. These studies suggest HBOT can help sleep in PTSD, but more research is needed to confirm effects in PTSD specifically.
What to ask your doctor
- Could hyperbaric oxygen therapy be an option for my sleep problems related to PTSD?
- What are the potential risks and side effects of HBOT for someone with my health history?
- How many sessions would be needed, and is this treatment covered by my insurance?
- Are there other evidence-based treatments for PTSD-related sleep issues I should consider first?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.