Internationally Recognized Applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is utilized worldwide for a broad range of medical and therapeutic applications. Internationally, HBOT is recognized for over 100 conditions, supported by varying levels of clinical evidence and decades of global clinical use. These applications are widely referenced by leading hyperbaric and medical organizations, including the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and the British Hyperbaric Association, among other international authorities.

The following list represents conditions for which HBOT is internationally utilized and supported in clinical practice across multiple countries:

International HBOT Applications

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  Acute coronary syndrome
  
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  Acute ischemic stroke
  
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  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  
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  Air or gas embolism
  
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  Alzheimer’s disease
  
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  Severe anemia
  
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  Anoxic encephalopathy
  
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  Arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
  
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  Asthma
  
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  Autism spectrum disorder
  
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  Avascular necrosis
  
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  Bell’s palsy
  
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  Brain abscess
  
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  Thermal and chemical burns
  
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  Cancer treatment support
  
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  Carbon monoxide poisoning
  
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  Cerebral edema
  
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  Cerebral palsy
  
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  Chronic fatigue syndrome
  
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  Chronic infections
  
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  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  
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  Chronic pain
  
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  Clostridial myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene)
  
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  Compartment syndrome
  
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  Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
  
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  Concussion
  
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  Crohn’s disease
  
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  Crush injuries
  
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  Cystitis
  
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  Decompression sickness
  
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  Dementia
  
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  Depression
  
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  Diabetes mellitus with non-healing wounds
  
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  Diabetic ulcers
  
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  Diverticulitis
  
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  Encephalopathy
  
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  Erectile dysfunction
  
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  Fibromyalgia
  
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  Fracture healing
  
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  Frostbite
  
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  Gas gangrene
  
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  Glaucoma
  
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  Migraine and cluster headaches
  
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  Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
  
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  Heart attack recovery
  
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  Heart failure
  
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  Hepatitis
  
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  HIV/AIDS
  
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  Hypertension
  
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  Immune system disorders
  
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  Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
  
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  Inflammatory conditions
  
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  Intracranial abscess
  
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  Kidney disease
  
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  Leukemia
  
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  Lyme disease
  
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  Lymphedema
  
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  Macular degeneration
  
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  Meningitis
  
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  Multiple sclerosis
  
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  Muscular dystrophy
  
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  Near drowning
  
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  Near hanging
  
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  Necrotizing soft tissue infections
  
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  Refractory osteomyelitis
  
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  Osteoporosis
  
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  Pancreatitis
  
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  Parkinson’s disease
  
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  Peripheral neuropathy
  
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  Peripheral vascular disease
  
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  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  
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  Pulmonary disease
  
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  Radiation cystitis
  
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  Radiation-induced soft tissue and bone necrosis
  
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  Radiation proctitis
  
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  Raynaud’s syndrome
  
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  Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  
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  Retinal artery occlusion
  
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  Rheumatoid arthritis
  
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  Scleroderma
  
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  Sepsis
  
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  Sickle cell disease
  
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  Compromised skin grafts and flaps
  
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  Skin ulcers
  
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  Spinal cord injuries
  
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  Sports injuries
  
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  Stroke recovery
  
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  Surgery recovery
  
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  Systemic lupus erythematosus
  
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  Tendonitis
  
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  Tinnitus
  
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  Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
  
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  Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  
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  Tuberculosis
  
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  Ulcerative colitis
  
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  Urinary tract infections
  
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  Varicose veins
  
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  Vascular dementia
  
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  Viral myocarditis
  
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  Chronic and non-healing wounds (including diabetic and radiation-related wounds)
  

Important Note

International utilization of HBOT varies by country, regulatory body, and clinical guidelines. The level of evidence and approval status may differ between regions, and not all indications are universally reimbursable or FDA-cleared in the United States.

For the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and condition-specific guidance, refer to resources published by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the British Hyperbaric Association, as well as other national and international hyperbaric medical organizations.