Evaluating Whether Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Improve VO₂-Max and Reduce Inflammation Markers in Healthy Adults Ages 30-60.

January 21, 2026 updated by: John Powers, University of Texas at Austin

The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy at Intermediate Pressure (1.75 ATA) on VO₂ Max and Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles

The purpose of this study is to determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at 1.75 atmospheres of pressure (ATA) improves cardiovascular fitness (VO₂ max) and reduces inflammation in healthy adults. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber and is considered investigational for this use.

Recent research has shown that different HBOT pressures can have different effects on inflammation. Specifically, some inflammatory cytokines (measurable markers of inflammation in the body) appear to decrease at low pressures like 1.3 ATA, while a different set of cytokines responds better at higher pressures, such as 2.0 ATA.

Cytokines are small proteins that play a crucial role in cell signaling, particularly within the immune system. They help regulate inflammation, infection response, and overall immune function. While some cytokines promote inflammation to fight off threats, others help reduce inflammation when it's no longer needed. An imbalance in cytokines - especially excessive inflammatory cytokines - can contribute to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues.

In this study, we are testing an intermediate pressure - 1.75 ATA - to see if we can target both sets of cytokines at once. If successful, this approach could offer broader anti-inflammatory benefits.

We are also interested in how this intermediate pressure may improve VO₂ max, a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness. Since VO₂ max is strongly linked to heart health and overall longevity, finding a safe and effective way to improve it has meaningful implications not just for athletes, but for anyone looking to enhance their fitness and well-being.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Austin, Texas, United States, 78746
        • Recruiting
        • ATX Hyperbarics
        • Contact:
          • Emma Lehrer
      • Austin, Texas, United States, 78746
        • Active, not recruiting
        • Westlake Medical Arts

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • physically active individuals with no history of chronic illness or HBOT exposure within the last three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • individuals with contraindications to HBOT, including lung diseases or claustrophobia.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 1.75 atmospheres
Will complete 24 HBOT sessions, each lasting 100 minutes, over 8 weeks.
Device: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
24 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, each lasting 100 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cytokine levels
Time Frame: From enrollment to 4 weeks after the end of treatment (12 weeks after first treatment).
Cytokines will be measured via blood analysis. Samples will be taken before treatment, at the midpoint, at the end, and 4 weeks post treatment. This is a measure of inflammation in the body.
From enrollment to 4 weeks after the end of treatment (12 weeks after first treatment).
VO2 max testing
Time Frame: From enrollment to 4 weeks post treatment (12 weeks after first treatment)
A treadmill VO2 max test measured before treatment, at treatment midpoint, at the end of treatment, and 4 weeks after conclusion of treatment. This is an indicator of cardiovascular health.
From enrollment to 4 weeks post treatment (12 weeks after first treatment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Texas at Austin

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 21, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • STUDY00007903

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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