A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, so brain cells don’t get the oxygen they need. Most strokes are caused by a clot or narrowed artery; others happen when a blood vessel bursts. Know the signs with FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech trouble, Time to call 9-1-1.
Many survivors live with lasting weakness, memory or speech problems, fatigue or low mood. Researchers are now studying whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might help in the chronic stage, months or even years after a stroke.
How might hyperbaric oxygen help?
After a stroke, some brain tissue near the injury may stay alive but underactive because it gets too little oxygen. Researchers sometimes call these “idling” brain cells. HBOT raises the oxygen dissolved in the blood, which may give these cells the energy to start working again. Studies suggest it may also encourage new blood vessel growth, support the brain’s ability to rewire itself (neuroplasticity) and reduce inflammation.
Research highlights
Much of this research comes from Dr. Shai Efrati’s team, one of the most active groups studying HBOT and the brain.
- Randomized trial, Israel (2013): 59 people, 6 to 36 months after a stroke. Stroke symptoms, daily activities and quality of life improved after 40 sessions, but not during a two-month waiting period. The authors called it a “proof of concept.”
- Memory review, Israel (2015): records of 91 people, 3 months to 15 years after a stroke. Memory scores improved after 40 to 60 sessions, with matching changes on brain scans.
- Thinking-skills review, Israel (2020): records of 162 people, an average of nearly three years after a stroke. Memory, attention and thinking speed improved.
- Pilot study, California (2018): six people at least a year after a stroke. Memory and walking speed improved and held three months later; language, balance and mood did not change.
- Case report: a man eight years after a stroke regained walking ability after 60 sessions plus rehabilitation.
For a fuller summary of each study, see our Stroke Recovery page.
What this means for you
If you’re recovering from a stroke, keep working with your doctor and rehabilitation team with physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy, and managing blood pressure. Curious about the research? Our team is happy to talk it through with you honestly.
Wondering whether HBOT could fit into your stroke recovery? We’re here to help.
Stroke recovery is bigger than any one therapy. The type of stroke you had, how long ago it happened, the effects you’re still living with and the rehabilitation you’re already doing all shape whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is worth considering. It’s meant to sit alongside your medical care and rehabilitation, not replace it.
Book a consultation with the naturopathic doctors at the Nardella Clinic to review your history, talk through the research and find out whether HBOT is appropriate for you.
Related reading
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion
- Oxygen Under Pressure: What New Research Says About HBOT in Cancer Care
- What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Health Canada Compliance Notice
Health Canada regulates the approved use of HBOT for 13 specific medical conditions. While HBOT is recognized for the 14 conditions outlined by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society, any additional uses must be assessed through a comprehensive consultation with our qualified naturopathic doctors. Patients are encouraged to discuss their health concerns and explore whether HBOT is appropriate for their care.
