Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Wound Care
Perry Baromedical
Multiplace Series
Hard-Shell Multiplace·2-18+ person
Pressure3 ATA
$150,000 - $400,000+
●●○○Emerging Evidence
Hyperbaric Therapy for Long COVID
What the research says, which protocols show results, and which chambers meet the clinical threshold.
Key Takeaways
- The Sagol Center 2022 RCT showed significant cognitive improvement after 40 sessions at 2.0 ATA in long COVID patients.
- Long COVID affects 10–30% of COVID-19 survivors, with symptoms lasting months to years.
- Mild HBOT at 1.3 ATA has shown minimal benefit for long COVID — clinical threshold is 1.5–2.0 ATA.
- HBOT for long COVID is not FDA-approved and not covered by insurance.
- A 40-session clinic protocol costs approximately $6,000–$12,000 out of pocket.
- Key mechanisms: reduced neuroinflammation, increased cerebral blood flow, neuroplasticity induction.
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID (also called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, or PASC) affects an estimated 10–30% of people who contract COVID-19. Symptoms persist for months or years after the initial infection and include brain fog, fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, and cognitive impairment. Standard treatments focus on symptom management — there is no universally accepted cure. This has driven significant interest in hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a potential intervention, particularly for the neurological and inflammatory components of the condition.
How Hyperbaric Therapy Helps Long COVID
HBOT addresses several mechanisms implicated in long COVID. Elevated oxygen pressure increases dissolved oxygen in blood plasma, reaching tissues with impaired microcirculation — a hallmark of long COVID vascular damage. At 2.0 ATA, HBOT has been shown to reduce neuroinflammation, promote angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), and improve mitochondrial function. A landmark 2022 study from the Sagol Center at Shamir Medical Center in Israel demonstrated that 40 sessions of HBOT at 2.0 ATA significantly improved cognitive function, energy levels, sleep quality, and psychiatric symptoms in long COVID patients. The proposed mechanism: HBOT induces neuroplasticity by increasing cerebral blood flow and reducing inflammatory markers in affected brain regions.
Recommended Protocol
Pressure
2.0 ATA (minimum 1.5 ATA)
Sessions
40–60 sessions
Duration
60–90 minutes per session
What Does the Evidence Say?
●●○○Emerging Evidence
The strongest evidence comes from the 2022 Sagol Center randomized controlled trial (n=73), which showed statistically significant improvements in cognitive function, fatigue, and brain perfusion after 40 HBOT sessions at 2.0 ATA. Additional studies from institutions in the UK, US, and Israel have reported similar findings, though sample sizes remain small. The evidence is classified as "emerging" because large-scale, multi-center RCTs are still underway. Importantly, studies using mild HBOT (1.3 ATA) for long COVID have shown minimal benefit — the clinical threshold appears to be 1.5–2.0 ATA minimum.
Off-Label Use
Long COVID is not an FDA-approved indication for HBOT. Treatment is considered off-label and is typically not covered by insurance. Consult your physician before starting any HBOT protocol.
Recommended Chambers for Long COVID
Based on the protocol requirements — minimum 1.5 ATA, Clinical Grade or Advanced Wellness tier. Sorted by clinical credibility score.
Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Wound Care
Perry Baromedical
Sigma 34
Hard-Shell Monoplace·1-person
Pressure3 ATA
$50,000 - $90,000
Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Wound Care
Perry Baromedical
Sigma 36
Hard-Shell Monoplace·1-person
Pressure3 ATA
$55,000 - $95,000
Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Maximum Comfort
Perry Baromedical
Sigma 40
Hard-Shell Monoplace·1-person
Pressure3 ATA
$65,000 - $110,000
Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Wound Care
Perry Baromedical
Sigma 40-II
Hard-Shell Multiplace·2-person
Pressure3 ATA
$100,000 - $160,000
Clinical GradeFDA Cleared
For Wound Care
Perry Baromedical
Sigma Elite
Hard-Shell Monoplace·1-person
Pressure3 ATA
$80,000 - $130,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How many HBOT sessions do I need for long COVID?
The Sagol Center protocol — the most-cited study — used 40 sessions of 60 minutes each at 2.0 ATA, 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Some practitioners recommend 60 sessions for more severe cases. Benefits typically become noticeable after 15–20 sessions. Consistency matters more than session count — gaps longer than a week can reduce cumulative benefit.
Will a 1.3 ATA soft-shell chamber help with long COVID?
Current evidence suggests minimal benefit at 1.3 ATA for long COVID. The mechanisms that address neuroinflammation and vascular damage require higher oxygen partial pressures — typically 1.5 ATA minimum, with 2.0 ATA being the studied standard. If long COVID is your primary reason for HBOT, a hard-shell chamber capable of 2.0 ATA is strongly recommended.
Does insurance cover HBOT for long COVID?
No. Long COVID is not an FDA-approved indication for HBOT, so insurance (including Medicare) does not cover it. Treatment is out-of-pocket: clinic sessions run $150–$300 each ($6,000–$12,000 for a 40-session protocol). Home chamber ownership can reduce the per-session cost significantly for ongoing treatment.
What long COVID symptoms respond best to hyperbaric therapy?
The strongest improvements have been documented for brain fog and cognitive impairment, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood/psychiatric symptoms. Physical symptoms like shortness of breath and exercise intolerance also show improvement in studies, though the neurological benefits are the most consistently reported.
Related Conditions
Sources & References
- Zilberman-Itskovich et al. (2022) — Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions of post-COVID-19 condition, Scientific Reports
- Robbins et al. (2021) — Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of long COVID, Journal of Clinical Medicine
- WHO — Post COVID-19 condition (Long COVID) clinical case definition
- UHMS — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications
Last updated: March 2026. Data sourced from manufacturer specifications, FDA databases, and published clinical research.
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