HBOT for sports-related concussion – current context
HBOT for sports-related concussion has been examined increasingly in the regenerative medicine literature, with particular focus on brain oxygenation, secondary injury mechanisms and persistent post-concussive symptoms. Concussion is recognised as a neuro-metabolic disturbance triggered by biomechanical forces, frequently seen in collision sports such as rugby and American football. (Giza et al, 2014) Conventional care has historically centred on graded rest, however recent literature has raised questions about whether prolonged inactivity might not always support neurological recovery.
In response to this gap, the 2025 review of HBOT for concussion synthesises current conceptual and experimental findings, describing HBOT as an intervention in which individuals breathe oxygen at supraphysiological partial pressures within a pressurised environment. The reviewed work reports that HBOT has been examined not only in acute post-impact windows but also in individuals with prolonged post-concussion symptoms (Slater et al, 2025).
Acute-phase neurological pathways highlighted in the review
Across the compiled studies, HBOT has been proposed as a means to influence key acute-phase mechanisms following concussion. Animal and human work cited in the review describes reported effects on oxygen tension in neural tissue, inflammatory cascades and cerebral oedema. A number of cited studies observing HBOT at 1.5 ATA report reductions in intracranial pressure among selected traumatic brain injury cohorts and note improved stability of the blood-brain barrier in the acute phase. Although study methodologies differ, the review conveys changes as potentially relevant to managing short-term post-concussive dysfunction, including cognitive slowing and reaction-time impairments in athletes.
Persistent post-concussion symptoms and cerebral blood flow
HBOT for sports-related concussion is also discussed in relation to chronic sequelae. (Slater et al, 2025) summarises studies in which individuals with persistent post-concussive symptoms underwent repeated HBOT sessions, with cited work reporting associations between treatment and improved cerebral blood flow alongside cognitive performance changes on neuropsychological assessment. The narrative links these findings to hypotheses regarding autonomic dysregulation and cerebral hypoperfusion in chronic symptom profiles.
Long-tail neurodegeneration and risk framing in the literature
A further domain covered in (Slater et al, 2025) concerns long-horizon neurological risk in athletes with repetitive concussion exposure. HBOT is discussed in proximity to chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Alzheimer’s-related mechanisms, with experimental and case-level evidence cited regarding inflammation, blood-brain barrier integrity, amyloid and tau-related pathology.
Future directions and research gaps
(Slater et al, 2025) stresses that HBOT research for concussion remains in an evolving stage. Key limitations include sample size constraints, heterogeneity in pressure/dose protocols and variability in time-to-treatment relative to injury. (Slater et al, 2025) calls for controlled, standardised trials and note that preventative directions such as neck-strength interventions may need to sit alongside any future post-injury modalities rather than in isolation.
Conclusion
Current literature reflects growing scientific interest in HBOT for sports-related concussion across acute, persistent and long-term risk domains. The 2025 review organises this body of work into mechanistic, clinical and translational themes, continued investigation may clarify the extent to which HBOT becomes embedded within multimodal concussion care in regenerative practice settings.
References
- later, Gordon & Bachmid, Z & Salleh, R. (2025). Journal of Regenerative Biology and Medicine Current Concepts Review: HBOT in the Treatment of Sports Related Concussion. 365-372. 10.37191/Mapsci-2582-385X-7(1)-149. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393660020_Journal_of_Regenerative_Biology_and_Medicine_Current_Concepts_Review_HBOT_in_the_Treatment_of_Sports_Related_Concussion
- Giza CC, Kutcher JS. An introduction to sports concussions. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2014 Dec;20(6 Sports Neurology):1545-51. doi: 10.1212/01.CON.0000458975.78766.11. PMID: 25470159; PMCID: PMC4274166. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4274166/