Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Early Research

Important: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not FDA-approved for Parkinson’s disease. This is an investigational use. Evidence is preliminary. Insurance will not cover HBOT for this condition. All costs are out-of-pocket.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition. Dopamine-producing neurons in the brain’s substantia nigra degrade over time, causing the hallmark symptoms: tremors, rigidity, slow movement, balance problems. As the disease progresses, cognitive changes often follow.

There’s no cure. Levodopa and other medications manage symptoms for many patients, but they don’t stop the disease. That gap drives interest in treatments like HBOT, which is now being studied in small trials.

What the Research Shows

A 2025 prospective study published in a peer-reviewed neurology journal examined HBOT in Parkinson’s patients. Participants completed 60 HBOT sessions. Researchers measured outcomes using the UPDRS — the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale — and a battery of cognitive tests.

The UPDRS measures four things: non-motor experiences of daily living, motor experiences of daily living, motor examination (the physical signs a neurologist observes), and motor complications from medication. Lower scores mean less impairment.

The study found improvements in motor function on the UPDRS and on cognitive testing after the 60-session protocol. This is a prospective study — not a randomized controlled trial. It doesn’t have a control group. That limits how much weight researchers can give the findings. Parkinson’s symptoms can fluctuate, and without a comparison group, it’s hard to separate HBOT’s effect from natural variation.

Earlier case reports and animal model studies have suggested HBOT may support mitochondrial function in dopaminergic neurons — the specific cells that die in Parkinson’s. Animal model data can’t be directly applied to human patients, but it provides biological rationale for the human studies.

How HBOT Might Work in Parkinson’s

Three mechanisms have been proposed. They’re all theoretical at this stage.

First, dopaminergic neuron protection. HBOT increases oxygen availability in tissues. Neurons under oxidative stress — a feature of Parkinson’s disease — may respond to higher oxygen levels by reducing cell death. This is based on cell culture and animal data.

Second, mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the cell’s energy producers. In Parkinson’s, mitochondrial dysfunction is a well-documented feature of the disease. Some HBOT research, primarily in other neurological conditions, suggests it may support mitochondrial output and reduce the oxidative damage that impairs mitochondria.

Third, reduced oxidative stress. Parkinson’s involves elevated oxidative stress in brain tissue. HBOT at certain protocols has been shown to upregulate antioxidant enzyme activity in other conditions.

None of these mechanisms has been confirmed as the pathway by which HBOT affects Parkinson’s specifically. They’re biologically plausible but not proven.

What Standard of Care Looks Like

Levodopa combined with carbidopa is still the most effective medication for managing Parkinson’s motor symptoms. Dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and other medications play roles depending on disease stage. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an option for patients with advanced motor complications who haven’t responded adequately to medication.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy address quality of life in meaningful ways across all disease stages.

HBOT is not a replacement for any of these. The current research looked at HBOT as a potential add-on to standard care, not a substitute. Any provider suggesting you stop standard Parkinson’s medications to try HBOT should be viewed with serious skepticism.

Coverage and Cost

Insurance will not cover HBOT for Parkinson’s disease. It’s investigational. Medicare and private insurers don’t list it as a covered indication for this condition.

A 60-session protocol at $250-450 per session costs $15,000-27,000 out of pocket. That’s a significant expense for evidence that’s still in early stages.

If you’re interested in HBOT for Parkinson’s, ClinicalTrials.gov lists any current enrolling studies. Participation in a trial may allow access to the treatment at no cost while also contributing to the evidence base.

FAQ

Is HBOT FDA-approved for Parkinson’s? No. It’s investigational. Insurance won’t cover it.

What is UPDRS? The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. It measures motor function, daily living abilities, and cognitive features. It’s the standard research tool for tracking Parkinson’s severity.

Can HBOT replace levodopa? No. Levodopa is the standard of care. HBOT is not a replacement for Parkinson’s medications.

What did the 2025 study find? Improvements in UPDRS motor scores and cognitive testing after 60 HBOT sessions. It’s a prospective study without a control group — preliminary evidence only.

Will insurance pay for it? No. Insurance will not cover HBOT for Parkinson’s. All costs are out of pocket.

References

• Gottlieb et al. (2025). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Parkinson’s disease: a prospective study. Published in a peer-reviewed neurology journal. (PMID pending verification — search ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed for current Parkinson’s HBOT trials.)
• For animal model and mitochondrial mechanism background, see PubMed searches for “hyperbaric oxygen Parkinson’s mitochondria.”

Related Pages

• What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
• HBOT for Traumatic Brain Injury
• HBOT for Stroke Recovery
• Find an HBOT Provider

Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Parkinson’s disease is investigational and not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed physician before making any treatment decisions. Individual outcomes vary. This site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.