A study published in The BMJ in August 2026 tried to answer a difficult question: how common is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, among former NFL players? Previous brain bank studies could show what researchers found in donated brains, but they could not show how common the disease was across all former players.
The new study combined brain donation records with information about 1,712 former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2021. Its findings drew attention because they moved beyond the donated brains and estimated a lower bound for the wider group.
What did the study find?
Families donated 338 of the 1,712 players’ brains for research. CTE was found in 315 of those donated brains, or 93.2%. Because families may be more likely to donate a brain when a player had concerning symptoms, that figure should not be treated as the rate across every former player.
The researchers used statistical methods to account for that selection. For players who died between 2016 and 2021, they estimated that at least one in four had CTE. They described this as a minimum estimate rather than a precise prevalence figure.
What is CTE?
CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head impacts. It develops over time and can currently only be confirmed by examining brain tissue after death. The BMJ study measured how common CTE may have been. It did not test HBOT or any other therapy.
Symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep, fatigue, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating can have many causes. Someone living with symptoms after a concussion or repeated head impacts needs an individual medical assessment rather than an assumption that CTE is the cause.
Where does HBOT fit into the conversation?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing oxygen in a chamber at a pressure above normal atmospheric pressure. Researchers have studied whether HBOT may support recovery for people with persistent symptoms after concussion or traumatic brain injury. This is separate from the CTE study and does not mean HBOT has been shown to prevent or treat CTE.
HBOT for concussion and TBI recovery is an off-label use. A medical review should consider the original injury, current symptoms, medical history, other care, and the evidence before a treatment plan is discussed.
Exploring your options
If symptoms have continued after a concussion or head injury, you can learn more about medically supervised HBOT for concussion and TBI recovery or find your nearest MD Hyperbaric center.
Sources
Important information
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal recommendations. Individual results may vary.
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Post-Surgical Recovery“Getting HBOT helped me a lot with my wound healing. I noticed my scars remarkably lightened. My mood and energy levels improved as well in just three weeks of getting two sessions each week — despite my demanding work schedule, I felt like I had more energy.”Namae
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment that enhances healing by flooding the body with oxygen. Used for over 100 years, it supports brain health, anti-aging, athletic recovery, and medical conditions by boosting oxygen in blood, tissues, and organs. Patients breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, accelerating recovery and promoting cellular repair.
HBOT is FDA-approved for 14 conditions like burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and non-healing wounds. Emerging research also supports its use for post-surgical recovery, brain injury, fatigue, inflammation, athletic recovery, and anti-aging. Our medical team will assess if HBOT is right for you.
Yes, HBOT is safe when properly supervised. At MD Hyperbaric, treatments are protocol-driven, medically overseen, and administered by certified staff. Our Medical Director and onsite Safety Director ensure every session is carefully monitored, and we continuously update our protocols based on the latest research to prioritize patient safety.
Typically, most treatment sessions are approximately 60 minutes, though some conditions may require up to 90 or 120 minutes. Pressurization and depressurization may add about 20 minutes to the appointment, so you should plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.
The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated. Some patients may benefit from a few sessions, while others may require a more extended treatment plan. A typical protocol will involve 10-40 daily sessions to build up oxygen in the cells. Our Medical Director will recommend a specific treatment plan to address your goals and needs.
Prior to treatment, please try to avoid alcohol or carbonated drinks. It is best to avoid smoking and other tobacco products during your treatment period, as they may interfere with the body's ability to transport oxygen. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for food or activity before or after your treatment. We encourage you to have healthy meals and stay hydrated.
Most patients find HBOT sessions relaxing. You will rest comfortably in a 7.5-foot-long steel chamber, breathing 100% pure oxygen through a mask. During pressurization and depressurization, you may feel pressure changes similar to airplane travel. A trained technician will monitor you throughout the session.
The term "dive" is used because the process simulates the experience of a deep-sea dive in a pressurized environment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has deep roots in diving as an important therapy for treating divers experiencing decompression sickness.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use the FDA-cleared OxyHealth Fortius420, a spacious hard-shell chamber delivering 100% medical-grade oxygen via mask. It operates up to 3.0 ATA, allows tailored pressures, supports air breaks, and includes three windows for comfort and safety.
At MD Hyperbaric, we use hard-shell chambers that deliver 100% medical-grade oxygen at higher pressures for superior therapeutic benefits. Soft-shell chambers operate at lower pressures without medical-grade oxygen, making them less effective for medical treatment.
Our team will assess your medical history and specific circumstances through an intake process. An initial evaluation with certified staff and the Medical Director will determine your eligibility for HBOT.
No referral is needed. Our Medical Director will review your intake forms and prescribe HBOT if appropriate. If you have a prescription from a provider, we will coordinate with them. For serious health conditions, we may recommend getting clearance from your physician.
Some MD Hyperbaric centers accept insurance for certain on-label conditions — the FDA-recognized indications for which HBOT is an established standard of care. Whether insurance applies depends on your diagnosis, your plan, and the center you visit, so please contact your local center to confirm. Where insurance does not apply, HBOT is a self-pay treatment: most FSA/HSA plans allow reimbursement, and we can provide a superbill and receipt to help you submit a claim.
It depends on how you pay. For insurance-covered treatment at participating centers, your cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance — the center verifies your benefits and explains expected costs before treatment begins. For self-pay treatment, we offer a variety of pricing options designed to suit different medical and financial needs, including pay-as-you-go and package options at reduced rates when purchased upfront. Please contact us to discuss pricing and options. We accept cash, credit, or check.