Table 2.
Summary of reported trials.
| Author/Year | N | Trial design | Biomarkers/testing | Scales | Treatment profile | Results | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kjellberg et al. (26) | 20 | Randomized double blind placebo | n/a | RAND-36 6MWT |
2.4 ATA 90 min, two 5-min air breaks × 40 sessions | Trial design, no serious adverse events, favorable safety profile | SAFE |
| Robbins et al. (23) | 10 | Case series | NeuroTrax | Chalder fatigue scale | 2.4 ATA 105 min, 3, 5-min air breaks × 10 sessions over 12 days | Improvement in fatigue and cognitive measures | + |
| Leitman et al. (27) | 79 | Randomized controlled | Echocardiogram | n/a | 2.0 ATA 90 min, three 5-min air breaks × 40 sessions | 48% of long COVID patients demonstrated pre-HBOT systolic dysfunction which was significantly improved with HBOT | + |
| Lindenmann et al. (31) | 59 | Prospective | n/a | SF-36 VAS | 2.2 ATA 75 min × 10 sessions (no air breaks mentioned) | In as little as 10 HBOTs—statistical improvement in 80% of metrics, safe and feasible tool for LCS | + |
| Zant et al. (22) | 6 | Clinical case report | ImPACT | Modified Borg dyspnea scale | 2.0 ATA 90 min × 15–29 sessions (no air breaks mentioned) | All patients saw improvement in symptoms scores | + |
| Kitala et al. (29) | 31 | Prospective | Pulse oximetry, spirometry | ROM, EQ-5D-5L psychotechnical test | 2.5 ATA 75 min × 15 sessions (no mention of air breaks) | HBOT resulted in significant and lasting improvement in QOL, endurance, strength, spirometry, memory and attention | + |
| Zilberman-Itskovich et al. (24) | 73 | Prospective randomized sham-controlled | Voxel based neuroimaging | SF-36, PSQI, BSI-18 | 2.0 ATA 90 min, three 5-min air breaks × 40 sessions | HBOT improves cerebral blood flow and brain microstructural changes in those areas that are associated with executive function, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms | + |
| Mrakic-Sposta et al. (28) | 5 | Case series | ROS, TAC, (IL-6, IL1β and TNF-α) lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, No metabolites, neopterin, creatinine, uric acid, spirometry | Fatigue scale | 2.4 ATA 90 min (no mention of air break) N = 2, 15 sessions N = 2, 30 sessions N = 1, 50 sessions |
Statistically significant effect of HBOT on biomarkers in all subjects. HBOT is a potential treatment for long COVID patients | + |
| Bhaiyat et al. (30) | 1 | Case report | Perf MRI, Exercise, spirometry | n/a | 2.0 ATA 90 min, three 5-min air breaks × 60 sessions | Improved cognition and cardiopulmonary function | + |
| Kjellberg et al. (32) | n/a | Safety analysis of HOT-LoCO | n/a | RAND-36 6MWT |
2.4 ATA 90 min, two 5-min air breaks × 10 sessions | Trial design, safety assessment and rationale for HBOT and future study | SAFE |