Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can disrupt memory, cognition, mood, mobility, and a person’s overall quality of life. Because brain tissue heals slowly and often incompletely after trauma, researchers continue to explore therapies that can counter inflammation, restore oxygenation, and stimulate neuroplasticity. One of the most promising treatments showing meaningful patient improvement is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
At Encompass Healthcare, HBOT is a cornerstone therapy for neurological recovery. Backed by scientific research and advanced clinical experience, HBOT offers an innovative path forward for patients seeking improved neurocognitive and functional outcomes after brain injury.
How HBOT Helps the Injured Brain Heal
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for traumatic brain injury involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. Under these conditions, oxygen dissolves into plasma at dramatically increased levels, allowing it to reach injured or oxygen-deprived brain tissue not adequately supplied through normal circulation.
What the Research Shows
A 2025 Scientific Reports study (Nature Portfolio) demonstrated that HBOT significantly promotes functional recovery and neural repair following TBI. Researchers observed that HBOT:
- Improved cognitive function and memory performance
- Reduced neuroinflammation, a key driver of secondary brain damage
- Enhanced neurogenesis and synaptic repair
- Stimulated angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) in damaged brain regions
- Improved mitochondrial function, boosting cellular energy needed for healing
These findings align with previous clinical studies that show HBOT can reduce post-concussive symptoms, support neurological clarity, and enhance long-term functional outcomes—even in chronic TBI patients.
Why Oxygen Matters After TBI
Following a traumatic brain injury, the brain often enters a state of metabolic crisis:
- Damaged tissue becomes hypoxic (low oxygen).
- Inflammation increases and continues damaging cells.
- Mitochondria struggle to produce energy needed for healing.
- Blood flow to certain regions becomes impaired.
HBOT addresses all of these challenges simultaneously by increasing tissue oxygenation by up to 1,200%, depending on treatment pressure. Higher oxygen availability:
- Protects neurons from apoptosis (cell death)
- Restores mitochondrial energy production
- Supports tissue remodeling
- Balances inflammatory processes
- Enhances the brain’s ability to rewire and recover
This makes HBOT one of the few therapies capable of impacting both acute and chronic TBI-related symptoms.
Common TBI Symptoms Improved Through HBOT
While results vary, research and patient reports frequently show improvements in:
- Cognitive clarity and processing
- Short-term memory
- Mood stability and emotional regulation
- Headaches and migraines
- Sleep quality
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Balance and coordination
- Light and noise sensitivity
For individuals struggling with long-term post-concussive symptoms, HBOT offers new hope for neurological repair long after the initial injury.
Why Patients Choose Encompass Healthcare for HBOT
At Encompass Healthcare, we provide advanced HBOT in a medical-grade, physician-supervised environment. Our chambers are designed to meet the needs of patients recovering from neurological injuries, and our care team closely monitors progress to ensure optimal outcomes.
We also work directly with case managers, adjusters, and referring providers, making the process seamless for patients who require coordinated care, documentation, and long-term therapy plans.
While we offer a variety of supportive services for patients managing complex injuries, our focus remains clear: evidence-based, outcome-driven hyperbaric therapy that supports real neurological recovery.
Start the Healing Journey Today
If you or your patient is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and seeking proven therapies that promote brain healing, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for traumatic brain injury may be the next step forward.
Contact Encompass Healthcare to schedule a consultation and learn how HBOT can help restore function, clarity, and quality of life.
References:
Li J, et al. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Promotes Functional Recovery and Neural Repair Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Scientific Reports. 2025; Nature Portfolio.
Rockswold SB, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for persistent post-concussion symptoms. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2013.