Description

Johnson-Arbor K. Mild and Traditional Hyperbaric Oxygenation: Clinical Uses and Safety

Considerations. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2026 Second Quarter; 53(2):247-254.

Introduction: Unlike traditional hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which involves the inhalation of 100%

oxygen by individuals enclosed in a pressurized treatment chamber at greater than sea level, mild

hyperbaric oxygen treatment is performed in a pressurized chamber using shallower treatment depths

and lower oxygen concentrations.

Methods: This narrative review examines the physiological differences between mild and traditional

hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the clinical uses of mild hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and the safety

considerations of both treatment modalities.

Results: The systemic hyperoxia induced by traditional hyperbaric oxygen treatment promotes wound

healing but is associated with adverse events, including oxygen free radical damage. Mild hyperbaric

oxygen treatment may benefit peripheral microcirculation, parasympathetic activity, and metabolism

but has not been studied extensively as a wound treatment modality. Due to the lower oxygen

concentrations used in mild hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the risk of oxidative damage may be lower

with this treatment than with traditional hyperbaric oxygenation. However, both mild and traditional

hyperbaric oxygenation are associated with potentially life-threatening adverse events, including

chamber explosion and/or fire. Careful adherence to safety standards may reduce the occurrence risk of

such incidents, but compliance with those standards is not universally mandated and may vary among

facilities.

Discussion: Traditional and mild hyperbaric oxygen treatment differ in physiology and clinical uses.

Both treatments are associated with significant risks, but adherence to safety standards may reduce the

incidence of adverse events and optimize patient care.

Keywords: equipment; fire or explosion; hyperbaric oxygen treatment; physiology; safety