Reviewed by: Elizabeth Chan, NP (Medical Director, MD Hyperbaric)
When people hear “hyperbaric oxygen therapy,” they usually think of wound care or post-surgery recovery. But researchers are increasingly looking at HBOT for something very different: neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Parkinson’s disease.
These two conditions obviously look very different on the surface. But they actually share something important at the cellular level: inflammation in the brain, damage from unstable molecules called free radicals, and cells that can’t produce energy the way they should. HBOT targets all three of these problems.
Here’s what the research says, and what it means for patients and families.
HBOT and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism affects about 1 in 36 children in the U.S., according to the most recent CDC data. There’s no single cause, but researchers have found that many children on the spectrum show signs of brain inflammation, problems with how their cells produce energy (called mitochondrial dysfunction), and higher levels of oxidative stress, which is basically wear and tear on cells from unstable molecules.
HBOT helps by flooding the body with extra oxygen under pressure, which means more oxygen gets to the brain. Several studies have looked at what happens when children with ASD receive this treatment.
The most well-known is a 2009 multicenter study published in BMC Pediatrics. It was randomized, double-blind, and controlled, meaning it met the gold standard for clinical research. Children who received HBOT showed meaningful improvements in overall functioning, language comprehension, social interaction, and eye contact compared to the control group.[1]
An earlier pilot study had already shown that HBOT reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in children with autism.[2] Follow-up clinical trials reported improvements in speech, behavior, sleep, and social engagement.[3]
A 2025 systematic review pulling together data from multiple trials concluded that HBOT shows real promise for a subset of children with ASD, though the authors stress the need for more large-scale studies.[4]
To be clear: HBOT is not a cure for autism, and every child responds differently. But for families already working with behavioral therapies and other supports, it can be a valuable addition to the toolkit, especially for children who show signs of brain inflammation or energy production issues at the cellular level.
HBOT and Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s affects over a million Americans. The hallmark symptoms, tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, balance problems, happen because the brain gradually loses the cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger essential for smooth, coordinated movement.
What’s driving that cell loss? More and more, researchers are pointing to the same trio of problems seen in ASD: brain inflammation, energy production issues in cells, and oxidative damage. Different condition, different part of the brain, but similar underlying mechanics.
A 2022 study in Biomolecules showed that HBOT helped protect dopamine-producing brain cells in animal models of Parkinson’s by boosting the cells’ ability to produce energy and by increasing levels of BDNF, a protein that helps brain cells grow and survive.[5]
On the clinical side, a 2024 study found that Parkinson’s patients who received HBOT showed improvements in movement, sleep quality, and thinking ability.[6] A large systematic review covering 958 patients confirmed that HBOT helps with both motor symptoms (tremors, stiffness) and non-motor symptoms (anxiety, depression, sleep problems, difficulty swallowing).[7]
Another focused review found HBOT particularly helpful for the sleep disturbances that so many Parkinson’s patients struggle with.[8]
HBOT doesn’t replace standard Parkinson’s medications. But used alongside them, it may help slow the progression of symptoms and improve day-to-day quality of life, things that mean everything to patients and the people who love them.
Why Oxygen Matters So Much for the Brain
Here’s a simple but powerful fact: your brain uses about 20% of all the oxygen your body takes in, even though it only makes up about 2% of your body weight. It’s an oxygen hog, and for good reason. Brain cells need a constant supply of oxygen to produce energy, repair themselves, and communicate with each other.
When that oxygen supply gets disrupted, whether by inflammation, poor blood flow, or cells that can’t use oxygen efficiently, brain function suffers. That’s true whether we’re talking about a child with ASD or an adult with Parkinson’s.
HBOT dramatically increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in your bloodstream, which means more oxygen reaches your brain tissue. That extra oxygen helps cells produce energy more efficiently, calms inflammation, triggers the release of growth factors that help the brain repair itself, and even encourages the growth of new blood vessels to improve oxygen delivery over the long term.
The core idea is straightforward: give the brain more of what it needs most, and it has a better chance of functioning well, repairing damage, and staying resilient.
What to Consider
If you or someone you love is living with ASD or Parkinson’s and you’re curious about HBOT, a good first step is talking with a team that knows hyperbaric medicine well. At MD Hyperbaric, we assess each patient individually to figure out whether HBOT makes sense and to design a treatment plan that fits their needs.
HBOT is safe, non-invasive, and well-tolerated by both kids and adults. The research is still growing, and we need more large-scale trials, but the evidence so far, combined with the strong safety profile, makes HBOT worth considering for people looking for complementary ways to support neurological health.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation at MD Hyperbaric to find out if HBOT is right for you.
References & Supporting Research
[[1] Rossignol DA, et al. “Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.” BMC Pediatrics. 2009;9:21.
[2] Rossignol DA, et al. “The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oxidative stress, inflammation, and symptoms in children with autism: an open-label pilot study.” BMC Pediatrics. 2007;7:36.
[3] Granpeesheh D, et al. “Brief Report: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Trial.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2012;42(8):1127-1132.
[4] Xiong T, et al. “The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 2025.
[5] Pan Z, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Parkinson’s Disease by Promoting Mitochondrial Biogenesis via the SIRT-1/PGC-1α Pathway.” Biomolecules. 2022;12(5):661.
[6] Chen J, et al. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Motor Symptoms, Sleep, and Cognitive Dysfunctions in Parkinson’s Disease.” Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 2024;54(3):187-196.
[7] Pan Z, et al. “Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-motor symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 2025.
[8] Feng J, et al. “Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of sleep disorders among patients with Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis.” Frontiers in Neurology. 2024;15:1328911.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Chan, NP (Medical Director, MD Hyperbaric)
Elizabeth Chan, NP, serves as Medical Director at MD Hyperbaric and reviews educational content for clinical accuracy, patient safety, and clarity. She supports evidence-informed care planning for people exploring hyperbaric oxygen therapy for recovery, neurological symptoms, and wellness goals.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or insurance advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal recommendations and check with your insurance company for current policy details.