Parkinson’s Disease

Written By Jamie Geitner

Parkinson’s Disease and Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT): What the Research Is Exploring

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that can affect movement (tremor, stiffness, slower motion, balance changes) as well as non-motor symptoms like sleep disruption, mood changes, fatigue, and cognitive shifts. Standard care often includes medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle support. Alongside that, some individuals explore adjunct wellness approaches that may support brain health and overall quality of life.

One area of growing interest is hyperbaric oxygen exposure, including mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT).

What is mHBOT?

Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy typically refers to using a pressurized chamber at lower pressures than hospital-based HBOT. Many mild systems operate around 1.3–1.5 ATA, which may use filtered air and/or supplemental oxygen depending on the setup. (Hospital-based HBOT typically uses higher pressures and medical-grade oxygen.)

The basic idea is simple: pressure can increase oxygen availability in the body, which researchers are studying for its potential effects on inflammation, blood flow, and cellular metabolism.

Why oxygen is being studied in Parkinson’s

Researchers exploring HBOT/mHBOT in neurological conditions often focus on a few key mechanisms:

1) Brain oxygenation and cellular energy

Parkinson’s involves complex changes in brain function, including energy metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Oxygen availability is closely tied to how cells produce energy, and HBOT has been studied for its influence on cellular stress responses and recovery signaling.

2) Inflammation and oxidative stress

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are frequently discussed in Parkinson’s research. Hyperbaric oxygen has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-related effects in a variety of neurologic and injury models, which is one reason it continues to draw interest as an adjunct approach.

3) Neuroplasticity and growth-factor signaling

Some reviews describe HBOT as a potential “neuromodulatory” tool that may influence neuroplasticity-related pathways (including factors like BDNF in animal models). This is early-stage and not definitive for Parkinson’s, but it’s part of why the topic keeps showing up in scientific discussions.

What human research is saying so far (and what it isn’t)

This is an important distinction: the overall Parkinson’s-specific human evidence base is still developing, and study types vary.

Here’s what’s newer and notable:

  • 2024 reviews and analyses continue to evaluate HBOT’s potential role in Parkinson’s symptoms and cognition, while also emphasizing the need for more high-quality trials.

  • A 2024 paper (Karger) reports improvements across several Parkinson’s-related outcomes (motor function, cognition, sleep-related outcomes) in the context studied, and discusses possible mechanisms.

  • A 2025 paper (palliative/supportive care journal) reports HBOT effects on non-motor symptoms such as mood, cognition, sleep, and fatigue-related measures (again: adjunct, not replacement).

A realistic takeaway

Right now, the most responsible way to frame it is:

  • HBOT/mHBOT is being studied as a supportive tool for Parkinson’s-related quality-of-life domains (especially non-motor symptoms).

  • It should be viewed as adjunctive and individualized, not a substitute for medical care.

If someone with Parkinson’s is considering mHBOT

If you’re exploring mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, consider these practical steps:

  • Talk with your neurologist or healthcare provider.

  • Ask about goals and tracking, such as sleep quality, energy, exercise tolerance, mood, or daily function.

  • Focus on consistency (many wellness approaches are most useful when done regularly and tracked over time).

Bottom line

Parkinson’s is complex, and no single therapy is a cure. That said, research interest in oxygen-based therapies is growing, and newer studies continue to explore whether hyperbaric exposure may support certain motor and non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms for some individuals. If you’re curious, the best path is informed discussion with your healthcare team and a careful, measurable plan.

References

Thom, S. R. (2009). Oxidative stress is fundamental to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(3), 988–995.

Yang, Y., Wei, H., Zhou, X., Zhang, F., & Wang, C. (2018). Hyperbaric oxygen promotes neural stem cell proliferation by activating vascular endothelial growth factor/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling after brain injury. NeuroReport, 29(17), 1547–1554.

Zhang, K., Wang, L., Song, Y., Wang, H., Tao, X., Zhang, S., & Wang, X. (2020). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes neurogenesis: Where do we stand? Medical Gas Research, 10(2), 86–93.

Hadanny, A., & Efrati, S. (2020). The hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox. Biomolecules, 10(6), 958.

Xu, Y., Tian, Y., Wei, H., Zhang, F., & Wang, C. (2024). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive approach in neurodegenerative disorders: Mechanisms and clinical perspectives. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1298743.

Rinaldi, S., Quartesan, R., Gabellini, A., & Manconi, M. (2025). Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: A supportive care perspective. Journal of Palliative and Supportive Care. Advance online publication.

Jamie Geitner
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