Israel’s HBOT Therapy: Revolutionizing Global PTSD Care

Researchers in Israel have demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can improve the condition of individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have not responded to traditional psychiatric medications or psychotherapy. This treatment, which was historically used to treat compression sickness in divers, is being applied to address treatment-resistant PTSD by targeting the biological changes in the brain associated with trauma.

The research was conducted by teams from Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at the Shamir Medical Center. The findings were published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Targeting the Biological Brain Wound

The study, led by Dr. Keren Doenyas-Barak and Prof. Shai Efrati from Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, suggests that a specific therapeutic protocol using HBOT can affect the physical state of the brain. According to the researchers, the therapy targets the biological brain ‘wound’ associated with PTSD.

Our unique therapeutic protocol affects the biological brain ‘wound’ associated with PTSD and effectively reduces typical symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, and irritability. We believe that our findings give new hope to millions of PTSD sufferers and their families all over the world.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research

By addressing these biological markers, the treatment aims to reduce the severity of core PTSD symptoms, including irritability and flashbacks, for patients who previously found no relief through standard care.

Clinical Application and the Sagol Center

The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, located at the Shamir Medical Center in Beer Yaakov, is the largest facility of its kind in the world. The center utilizes a comprehensive therapeutic approach that combines hyperbaric facilities with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists and psychologists.

This integrated model is designed to support patients through both the physiological treatment of HBOT and the psychological support required for trauma recovery.

Case Study: Treatment-Resistant PTSD

The impact of HBOT is illustrated by the case of a former combat medic who served for more than 20 years in the Israeli Air Force. During her service, she was exposed to extreme trauma, including treating wounded individuals under fire and handling the remains of victims.

Although she retired from the military, her PTSD symptoms did not surface immediately. After retiring, she trained as a nurse practitioner and began working in an intensive care unit. The high-pressure environment of the ICU triggered a delayed onset of PTSD.

The resulting symptoms severely impacted her daily life, including:

• Severe anxiety and mild depression
• Sleep disturbances and heightened hyperarousal
• Flashbacks and nightmares, specifically regarding burned children
• Irritability and an overwhelming sense of shame
• Difficulty with basic daily tasks, such as eating meat due to the act of pulling chicken off the bone

The patient attempted to manage these symptoms through selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and talk therapy, but neither intervention provided relief. At 60 years old, she was referred to the Aviv Clinic for hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat her treatment-resistant PTSD.

Public Health Context in Israel

Prof. Shai Efrati noted that Israel’s position as a leader in PTSD research is a result of the country’s specific circumstances. Before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, approximately 6,000 IDF veterans had been officially recognized as PTSD sufferers, though many other soldiers and civilians remained unacknowledged.

Following the events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war, the number of people requiring PTSD diagnosis and treatment has risen sharply. Prof. Efrati indicated that tens of thousands of soldiers and an even larger number of civilians are likely to be diagnosed with the disorder.

The surge in trauma cases has increased the demand for the Sagol Center’s specialized services as the medical community seeks more effective ways to treat those who do not respond to conventional psychiatric interventions.