What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 7 studies involving 199 patients to evaluate whether HBOT improves thinking, memory, and fatigue in people with long COVID.
What They Found
Across the studies, HBOT at 2.0–2.5 ATA for 10 to 60 sessions improved memory, attention, executive function, fatigue, and pain in long COVID patients. Side effects were minimal and none were serious. Both randomized controlled trials and observational studies showed benefit.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians living with long COVID brain fog, fatigue, and cognitive decline, a group estimated in the hundreds of thousands nationally, HBOT may offer meaningful symptom relief where no approved drug treatment currently exists. Sessions at 2.0–2.5 ATA appear safe for this population.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. Long COVID is not currently an OHIP-covered HBOT indication.
Study Limitations
The review included only 199 patients across 7 studies, making it too small to draw firm conclusions, and study protocols varied widely in pressure, session count, and outcome measures.