Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves sleep quality and cognitive performance in healthy young adults at high altitude
In a randomized controlled trial of 60 healthy young males residing at 4300 m for at least six months, 5 days of mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT) significantly reduced PSQI scores compared to control (adjusted mean difference = -1.08, 95% CI: -1.76 to -0.46, p = 0.003). The mHBOT group also showed significantly higher accuracy on a working memory task and altered brain activation patterns in the superior temporal gyrus, suggesting improved neurocognitive efficiency.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves sleep quality and cognitive performance in healthy young adults at high altitude The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 44/100 (low).
The Claim
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves sleep quality and cognitive performance in healthy young adults at high altitude
This conclusion is most relevant to: Healthy young adult males who had resided at 4300 m altitude for at least six months.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Cognitive Performance and Sleep Quality in Healthy Young Adults at High Altitude: Exploratory Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy study. (Travel medicine and infectious disease, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸mHBOT increases oxygen-carrying capacity in blood
- ▸Enhanced oxygen delivery to brain tissues
- ▸Reduced metabolic demand in superior temporal gyrus during cognitive tasks
- ▸Improved sleep quality and cognitive performance
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Healthy young adult males who had resided at 4300 m altitude for at least six months
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Only male participants were included, limiting generalizability to females
- ▸Short intervention duration (5 days) and lack of long-term follow-up data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHBOT)?▼
mHBOT involves breathing oxygen at slightly elevated atmospheric pressure, typically in a mild hyperbaric chamber, to increase oxygen delivery to tissues.
How was sleep quality measured in this study?▼
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-reported questionnaire measuring sleep disturbances over the past month.
Did mHBOT affect brain activity during cognitive tasks?▼
Yes, fNIRS showed decreased oxygenated hemoglobin in the superior temporal gyrus during working memory tasks after mHBOT, suggesting more efficient brain activation.
Who were the participants in this trial?▼
The study included 60 healthy young male adults who had lived at 4300 meters altitude for at least six months.
References
- 1.Lin YX, Li D, Huang Z, Huang N, Shi SM, Xu F, Wu SZ, Chen L, Huang C. “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Cognitive Performance and Sleep Quality in Healthy Young Adults at High Altitude: Exploratory Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy study..” Travel medicine and infectious disease, 2026. PMID: 42480892 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2026.103008