Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
A personal experience
A real therapeutic experience from Anna Dutton, Manager of Huntingdon Neurotherapy Centre
“I spent an hour and a half in the chamber. It was quiet, comfortable and much less daunting than I expected.
During the session, you can read a book, use your tablet or phone, do some knitting, or simply close your eyes and relax. For me, it was a peaceful opportunity to slow down while breathing pure medical oxygen under controlled pressure.”
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing high-concentration oxygen while inside a specially designed chamber where the pressure is increased above normal atmospheric pressure.
At normal atmospheric pressure, the air we breathe contains approximately 21% oxygen. During HBOT, breathing oxygen under increased pressure allows more oxygen to be carried in the blood plasma and delivered to tissues throughout the body.
The pressure used during a session is carefully controlled according to the treatment being provided.
At Huntingdon Neurotherapy Centre, our chamber can accommodate up to eight people at a time, with regular sessions held throughout the week.
What happens during a session?
You will sit comfortably inside the chamber while the pressure is gradually increased.
Oxygen is delivered through an individual hood or mask. The pressure is carefully controlled throughout the session and you will be monitored by our trained staff.
A session is a quiet period of time, and many people choose to read, use a phone or tablet, knit, or simply relax.
If you are new to HBOT, we recommend visiting the centre before your first treatment so that we can explain the process, answer your questions and complete the necessary paperwork.
Alternatively, please arrive at least 45 minutes before your first scheduled session so that there is enough time for fitting, paperwork and an explanation of the procedures.
Your first session will normally be booked at 16.5 ft.
HBOT and health conditions: what does the research say?
We believe it is important that people considering HBOT have access to information about the research rather than simply being told what a treatment may or may not do.
The information below is provided for general information only. Huntingdon Neurotherapy Centre does not claim that HBOT can cure, treat or prevent any of the conditions discussed.
Research into HBOT is continuing, and results vary between conditions and between individual studies. Some studies have reported possible benefits, while others have found that more research is needed.
The studies below should therefore be considered as research evidence rather than a guarantee of benefit.
HBOT and ME/CFS
There has been research into whether HBOT may help people experiencing symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also referred to as ME/CFS.
One small study investigated 15 HBOT sessions over three weeks. The participants showed improvements in measures including fatigue severity and fatigue-related quality of life following treatment. However, the study was small and did not include a control group, and the researchers stated that larger controlled studies were needed.
For this reason, the results should be viewed cautiously.
Current NICE guidance recognises ME/CFS as a complex, fluctuating medical condition and recommends individualised care and energy management. HBOT is not presented by NICE as a standard treatment for ME/CFS.
If you have ME/CFS, we strongly recommend discussing any complementary or additional treatment with your GP or specialist team before starting.
HBOT and cognitive health
Research is also investigating whether HBOT may affect cognitive function and brain-related outcomes.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 11 randomised controlled trials involving 847 people with Alzheimer’s disease. The review reported improvements in several measured outcomes, including cognitive scores and activities of daily living. However, the researchers also concluded that further studies with more rigorous designs are needed before the clinical value of HBOT can be fully established.
A separate systematic review of HBOT and cognitive function found mixed results across neurological conditions and highlighted the need for better-designed and longer-term studies.
There has also been research into HBOT alongside conventional treatment for vascular dementia, although the quality and design of studies vary.
These findings do not mean that HBOT is a treatment or cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. They show that this is an area of continuing scientific research.
If you are considering HBOT for yourself or someone with cognitive impairment or dementia, please discuss this with their GP or appropriate healthcare professional first.
Other areas being researched
HBOT is an established medical intervention for certain conditions, and research continues into other potential applications.
Research has investigated areas including:
wound healing and certain difficult-to-heal wounds
radiation-related tissue injury
certain bone and soft-tissue conditions
recovery from some types of injury
tissue oxygenation and circulation
neurological and cognitive conditions
chronic pain and fatigue-related symptoms
The strength of evidence varies considerably between conditions.
Huntingdon Neurotherapy Centre does not claim that HBOT will produce any particular outcome for an individual. We encourage anyone considering HBOT to discuss their circumstances with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Chamber
Our multiplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber can accommodate up to eight people at a time.
We hold multiple sessions each week and ask new users to attend a Tuesday session for their first treatment where possible.
Current chamber schedule
| Day | Time | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:30am | 24 ft |
| Monday | 11:30am | 16.5 ft |
| Tuesday | 10:00am | 33 ft |
| Tuesday | 12:15pm | 16.5 ft |
| Thursday | 10:00am | 33 ft |
| Thursday | 12:15pm | 24 ft |
| Saturday | 10:00am | 33 ft |
| Saturday | 12:15pm | 16.5 ft |
Saturday sessions require a minimum of four people.
Please contact us to confirm current availability before travelling.
Our prices
Non-members
£35 per session
Members using centre hoods
£30 per session
or
£300 for a block of 10 sessions + 2 free sessions
Members using their own hoods
£25 per session
or
£250 for a block of 10 sessions + 2 free sessions
Membership currently costs £50 per year.
If a member purchases the £250 block and uses their own hood, the 12 sessions work out at approximately £20.83 per session, including the annual membership fee.
Before your first session
We ask you to arrange a visit to the centre before your first treatment where possible.
This gives us an opportunity to:
explain how HBOT works
show you the chamber
answer your questions
discuss the session with you
complete the necessary paperwork
make sure you understand the procedures before treatment
If you cannot visit beforehand, please arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled first session.
Your first session will normally take place at 16.5 ft.
Important medical information
Huntingdon Neurotherapy Centre is not an NHS medical service, and the information on this page is not medical advice.
HBOT is a medical intervention and is not suitable for everyone.
The information provided on this page is intended to help people understand HBOT and some of the research surrounding it. It should not be used to diagnose, treat or manage a medical condition.
We make no guarantee that HBOT will improve any particular condition or symptom, and participation in HBOT should not be considered a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Please speak to your GP, consultant or other appropriate healthcare professional before starting HBOT, particularly if you have an existing medical condition, take medication, are pregnant, or are receiving treatment for another condition.
You should also tell us about any relevant medical conditions, medication or other health concerns before treatment.
Our staff will discuss the treatment process with you and advise you if further medical information or assessment is required.
If you are receiving medical treatment, do not stop or change your prescribed treatment because you are considering HBOT.
Research and further reading
The following sources provide further information and access to published research:
ME/CFS
The study investigating 15 HBOT sessions in people with chronic fatigue syndrome is available through PubMed.
Cognitive function and Alzheimer’s disease
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomised controlled trials of HBOT in Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitive function
A systematic review examined research into HBOT and cognitive function across neurological conditions.
NHS England
NHS England publishes information about the commissioning and provision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in England.
Research is continually developing, so we recommend checking the original publications rather than relying solely on summaries.
Questions about HBOT?
You are welcome to contact us before booking.
If you would like to see the chamber, ask questions or discuss what is involved in a session, please contact the centre.
Email: info@huntsneuro.org
Telephone: 01480 458 688
Opening/contact hours: 9:00am – 2:30pm
We are happy to explain the process and help you decide whether you would like to find out more.