Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Multiple Sclerosis?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is being used as a supportive therapy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). By increasing oxygen delivery to damaged nerve tissue and reducing inflammation, HBOT may help improve certain symptoms and support neurological function. However, research results are mixed, and HBOT is not considered a cure for MS.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is purported to be a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system is thought to attack the protective covering of nerve fibers (called myelin), leading to inflammation and damage. However, there is strong pathological evidence that MS is a wounding condition with injury to the small venules in the white matter of the brain by fat emboli. Each of these wounded areas caused by injury from fat emboli become sites of the inflammation seen in MS. The result of inflammation is scar, thus Multiple Sclerosis or Multiple “Scars.”
This disruption of the white matter interferes with communication between the brain and the rest of the body, resulting in symptoms that may include:
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Fatigue
- Vision problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Cognitive changes
MS can vary widely in severity and progression, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms and others developing more significant disability over time.
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy May Help MS
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the use of increased pressure and increased pressure of oxygen to treat disease processes and their diseases. Most commonly HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure in a pressurized chamber. This process allows oxygen to dissolve more effectively into the bloodstream and reach areas of the body where circulation may be reduced. The increased pressure is also bioactive and has healing properties exerted on the brain wounds of MS.
In the context of MS, HBOT may:
- Increase oxygen delivery to inflamed or damaged nerve tissue
- Reduce inflammation in the central nervous system
- Support cellular repair processes
- Promote improved metabolic function in affected areas
Because MS involves inflammatory and degenerative processes, improving oxygen availability at the tissue level may help support the body’s natural healing responses.
What Does Research Say About HBOT and MS?
Research on HBOT for multiple sclerosis has produced mixed results.
Positive Findings
Some clinical observations and case studies have reported improvements in:
- Mobility
- Fatigue
- Bladder function
- Overall quality of life
Clinical experience from physicians such as Drs. David Perrins and Philip James in the UK, Dr. Richard Neubauer in South Florida, and Dr. Paul G. Harch has suggested that certain patients may experience meaningful symptom relief when HBOT is used as part of a comprehensive care plan.
To date the most rigorous randomized trial of HBOT in MS was conducted in New York, funded by The National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the U.S., and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1983 by Dr. Boguslav Fisher.1 It demonstrated a significant improvement in the HBOT group compared to the non-HBOT group and the improvements were durable for at least one year. No study to date has duplicated the rigor of this clinical trial. Based on these results and additional studies hyperbaric centers were established in the UK in the 1982. There are now 70 centers treating MS under a non-profit aegis. A long-term follow-up study on over 700 of these patients with chronic progressive, chronic static, and relapsing/remitting MS demonstrated lesser decline, stabilization, and even improved levels of function in some patients who received at least one HBOT every 2 weeks compared to those to received no HBOT or less than 7 HBOTs/year.2
- Fischer BH, Marks M, Reich T. Hyperbaric-Oxygen Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. N Engl J Med. 1983;308:181-6.
- Perrins DJD, James PB. Long-term hyperbaric oxygenation retards progression in multiple sclerosis patients. IJNN. 2005;2:45–8. (Available at: https://nardellaclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Long-Term-Hyperbaric-Oxygenation-Retards-Progression-in-Multiple-Sclerosis-Patients.pdf).
Limitations and Considerations
- Some controlled studies have not shown consistent long-term benefits
- HBOT is not FDA-approved specifically for MS treatment
- Responses may vary significantly from person to person
Because of these factors, HBOT is generally considered a complementary or supportive therapy, rather than a primary or curative treatment. There is no evidence that HBOT prevents or corrects the root cause of MS. It is a therapy that treats the ongoing repetitive wounding process of MS and the associated inflammation of these wounds.
Potential Benefits Reported by Patients
While results vary, some individuals undergoing HBOT for MS have reported:
- Improved energy levels
- Reduced fatigue
- Better balance and coordination
- Enhanced mental clarity
- Improved bladder control
These outcomes are not guaranteed but may be meaningful for certain patients.
Who May Be a Candidate for HBOT?
HBOT may be considered for individuals who:
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
- Continue to experience symptoms despite standard therapies
- Are seeking supportive or integrative treatment options
- Have been medically evaluated and cleared for hyperbaric therapy
A consultation with a qualified provider is essential to determine whether HBOT is appropriate for a specific case.
Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Safe for MS Patients?
HBOT is generally well tolerated when administered under proper medical supervision.
Common, Mild Side Effects
- Ear pressure or discomfort
- Temporary fatigue
- Mild sinus pressure
Less Common Risks
- Oxygen sensitivity (rare)
- Barotrauma (pressure-related injury, uncommon with proper protocols)
A trained provider will evaluate medical history and monitor treatment to reduce risks.
Key Point in Using HBOT to Treat MS
HBOT is a drug with two components, increased pressure and increased pressure of oxygen. Both are bioactive. Results are dependent on the right combination of pressure and oxygen which like all medications haa to be adjusted to the individual patient and their disease process. The reason for the widespread success of the U.K. MS program has been the individual dosing of each patient performed at each HBOT center
This individual dosing priority was revealed in the first MS patient treated by Dr. Harch in 1995. At that time Drs. Harch, Van Meter, and Gottlieb had initiated a program to investigate the treatment of any chronic neurological problem with HBOT. This middle-aged man self-referred and Dr. Harch dosed his HBOT using SPECT brain imaging before and after his first HBOT. Repetitive treatment followed at that dose and the patient experienced significant improvement in his symptoms. Other MS patients followed with the most striking example Dr. Harch’s wife Juliette. Juliette has been receiving HBOT for 26 years for chronic progressive MS and has shown no progression of illness during this time. She remains minimally symptomatic, unrestricted with lifestyle and activities, and continues to be employed. Her case is featured at: https://hbot.com/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/
Frequently Asked Questions
How many HBOT sessions are typically used for MS?
Protocols often begin with 30–40 sessions, though the number may vary depending on individual response and treatment goals.
Is HBOT a cure for multiple sclerosis?
No. HBOT is not a cure for MS. It is considered a supportive therapy that may help manage certain symptoms.
Can HBOT slow the progression of MS?
Possibly. That’s what was shown in the long-term study by Perrins and James in 2005. In addition, some patients report stabilization and even improvement of symptoms, but clinical evidence is mixed, and more research is needed.
Does HBOT work for all MS patients?
No. Responses vary. Some individuals experience improvement, while others may notice little or no change.
Can HBOT be used with standard MS treatments?
In many cases, HBOT is used alongside conventional therapies, but this should always be discussed with a healthcare provider.
About Paul G. Harch
Dr. Paul G. Harch is a clinical and academic physician with four decades of experience in hyperbaric medicine, particularly in the treatment of neurological conditions. His clinical work has focused on the application of HBOT in cases involving brain injury, stroke, and chronic neurological disorders in both adults and children.
Through clinical practice and research, Dr. Harch has contributed to the understanding of how oxygen-based therapies may support healing in compromised neurological tissue.
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers a promising supportive approach for individuals living with multiple sclerosis. By enhancing oxygen delivery and potentially reducing inflammation, HBOT may help improve certain symptoms and quality of life for some patients.
However, because research findings are mixed and outcomes vary, likely due to differences in the dose of HBOT used, HBOT should be considered as part of a broader, individualized treatment plan under professional guidance with personalized dosing of HBOT.
