Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Overseen By Marian Wilson, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: Washington State University

Must not be taking: Antabuse

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Emphysema, Psychosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)—breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room—can help reduce methadone doses by easing opioid withdrawal symptoms. It compares two different oxygen pressures to a placebo treatment. Individuals on methadone in a supervised opioid treatment program who wish to lower their dose may be suitable candidates, especially if withdrawal symptoms disrupt daily life. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants a chance to be among the first to receive this innovative therapy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are taking Antabuse for alcohol addiction.

What prior data suggests that hyperbaric oxygen treatment is safe for opioid use disorder?

Research has shown that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) could be a safe option for individuals undergoing opioid withdrawal. In earlier studies, participants who received HBOT at various pressure levels reported less pain and fewer drug cravings. These studies did not identify any major safety concerns, indicating that the treatment is generally well-tolerated.

During HBOT, participants breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This method is used in other treatments and is typically considered safe. Some minor side effects, such as ear discomfort, might occur due to pressure changes, but no serious issues were reported in the studies.

Overall, this treatment appears well-tolerated and offers a non-drug option to help reduce opioid use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for opioid use disorder because it offers a novel approach compared to traditional therapies like medication-assisted treatments (MAT) with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. Unlike these standard medications that work by interacting with opioid receptors to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, HBOT involves administering 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressures, which may promote brain healing and reduce dependency. This method is particularly intriguing because it targets the brain's recovery in a physical way, potentially offering benefits beyond just managing symptoms. With the potential to aid in neural repair and enhance recovery, HBOT represents a fresh avenue for treating opioid use disorder.

What evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen treatment might be an effective treatment for opioid use disorder?

Research shows that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might help ease symptoms of opioid withdrawal. In this trial, participants will join different treatment arms. Some will receive full HBOT, involving 100% oxygen at 2.0 ATA, while others will receive a partial pressure treatment with 100% oxygen at 1.3 ATA. A sham treatment arm will provide participants with 21% oxygen at 1.3 ATA. Studies have found that patients who received full HBOT reported better pain management and fewer drug cravings than those who received a sham treatment. HBOT has been particularly effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and helping patients decrease their methadone doses. Early findings suggest that HBOT sessions lasting 90 minutes on two consecutive days can significantly improve the withdrawal experience. Overall, these initial results are promising for using HBOT as a supportive treatment for opioid use disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Layton Matt, MD

Principal Investigator

Washington State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who are enrolled in a supervised opioid treatment program at the Spokane Regional Health District. Participants must be able to read, speak, and write English and provide written informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria

Enrollment in a supervised opioid treatment program at the Spokane Regional Health District

I am older than 18 years.

Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

I have emphysema.

Air cysts in the lung

I do not have any mental health conditions that would make it unsafe for me to participate.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at different pressures or sham treatment during methadone tapering

4 weeks

Weekly visits for HBOT sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Long-term follow-up

Participants' methadone dose changes are assessed at one month and three months from baseline

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Trial Overview

The study tests if hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help with physical and psychological symptoms of opioid withdrawal during methadone dose reduction compared to a sham treatment. It also examines HBOT's role in increasing success rates of tapering off opioids.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Full treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants are administered 100% oxygen in the HBOT chamber at 2.0 ATA

Group II: Partial pressure treatment Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants are administered 100% oxygen in the HBOT chamber at 1.3 ATA

Group III: Sham Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants are administered 21% oxygen n the HBOT chamber at 1.3 ATA.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Decompression sickness
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Wound healing

Approved in European Union as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Decompression sickness
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Wound healing
• Radiation necrosis

Approved in Canada as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Decompression sickness
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Wound healing

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Washington State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

114

Recruited

58,800+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Mice that developed tolerance to opioid agonists showed a reduced pain-relieving response to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy, indicating that opioid receptors play a role in the analgesic effects of HBO2.

The study found that both μ-opioid and κ-opioid receptors are involved in mediating the acute pain relief provided by HBO2, suggesting that this therapy may be less effective in patients who are tolerant to opioids.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reduced antinociceptive responsiveness to hyperbaric oxygen in opioid-tolerant mice. Zhang, Y., Stolz, PA., Shirachi, DY., et al.[2015]

The most common side effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy are middle ear barotrauma, affecting up to 2% of patients, which can be managed through techniques like autoinflation or tympanostomy tubes.

While rare, more severe side effects from HBO2 therapy can include oxygen toxicity leading to issues like progressive myopia and pulmonary dyspnea, with serious complications like seizures occurring at higher oxygen pressures, particularly in patients with acidosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Side effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Camporesi, EM.[2014]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is associated with a higher incidence of adverse effects (30.11%) compared to control groups (10.43%), particularly when the treatment involves more than 10 sessions or chamber pressures exceed 2.0 ATA.

The most common side effect reported was ear discomfort, indicating that while HBOT can be beneficial, careful monitoring for adverse reactions is necessary, especially under specific conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Zhang, Y., Zhou, Y., Jia, Y., et al.[2023]

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, which involves administering 100% oxygen under pressure, is an evidence-based treatment for various surgical conditions, including gas gangrene, crush injuries, and necrotizing infections, among others.

When used appropriately and under the supervision of trained medical professionals, HBO therapy can significantly enhance healing and improve outcomes in surgical patients, although there is a need for better education and more facilities to support its use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hyperbaric oxygen and surgery. MacFarlane, C., Cronjé, FJ.[2017]

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) therapy significantly inhibits the proliferation of both normal and cancerous mammary cells, showing a time-dependent effect across all cell types studied, including primary and metastatic tumor cells.

HBO enhances the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs like melphalan, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel, while not increasing cell death, suggesting it could be a beneficial adjunct therapy in cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hyperbaric oxygen inhibits benign and malignant human mammary epithelial cell proliferation. Granowitz, EV., Tonomura, N., Benson, RM., et al.[2013]

This systematic review found no clinical trials that provided evidence for the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating delayed healing or established non-union of bony fractures, indicating a lack of supporting data.

The authors concluded that high-quality clinical trials are necessary to determine whether HBOT has any beneficial role in managing these types of bone injuries.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for promoting fracture healing and treating fracture non-union. Bennett, MH., Stanford, R., Turner, R.[2018]

In a review of over 1.5 million hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments, only 0.68% were linked to adverse events, indicating that serious complications are rare.

The most common issues reported were barotrauma and confinement anxiety, while severe events like oxygen toxicity occurred in less than 0.05 per 1000 treatments, suggesting that HBO therapy is a safe and low-risk treatment when following proper protocols.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Retrospective Analysis of Adverse Events in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (2012-2015): Lessons Learned From 1.5 Million Treatments. Jokinen-Gordon, H., Barry, RC., Watson, B., et al.[2022]

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) significantly accelerates the elimination of alcoholic abstinence syndrome (AAS) symptoms in 40 patients, compared to those receiving only drug therapy.

HBO treatment notably reduces psychoneurological symptoms and improves heart function, especially when administered early in Stage II AAS, with optimal results seen from two sessions daily.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the dynamics of the alcohol abstinence syndrome]. Epifanova, NM., Isakov, IuV., Churkin, EA.[2016]

In a retrospective review of 181 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, 81.8% experienced successful or improved outcomes across various conditions, indicating its efficacy as an adjunctive treatment.

Specific success rates included 95.7% for osteoradionecrosis and 88.1% for soft tissue radiation necrosis, suggesting HBO is particularly effective for these indications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment outcome for different indications from a single center. Skeik, N., Porten, BR., Isaacson, E., et al.[2015]

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is effective in treating various skin disorders, including chronic non-healing ulcers, bacterial infections, and fungal infections, highlighting its role as both a primary treatment and an adjunct to conventional therapies.

While HBO therapy shows promise in clinical practice, it is important to be aware of its contraindications and potential toxic effects, ensuring patient safety during treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hyper Baric Oxygen Therapy. Dutta, RK., Kumar, R.[2019]

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is effective in improving tissue oxygenation and promoting wound healing, making it a key treatment for conditions like severe carbon monoxide poisoning and diabetic foot wounds.

HBO is considered safe with minimal adverse effects when administered according to standard protocols, although further research is needed to explore its efficacy for other potential uses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO): current standing]. Haltern, C., Siekmann, UP., Rump, AF., et al.[2006]

Citations

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pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35393218/

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Pain, Opioid Withdrawal, ...

All measurements improved more, on average, for participants receiving full-dose HBOT treatment than among participants receiving sham ...

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sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S152490422200090X

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Pain, Opioid Withdrawal ...

Two consecutive days of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 90 minute sessions showed promising trends in improving pain, drug craving, and reported withdrawal ...

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nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07937-z

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment attenuates naloxone ...

The present study demonstrates that HBOT is an effective intervention for reducing somatic morphine withdrawal symptoms in both male and female ...

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clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05924022

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) During Methadone ...

The aims of this study are to 1) explore the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) applied at two different pressures compared to sham treatment in ...

5.

spokane.wsu.edu

spokane.wsu.edu/news/research/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy shows promise for opioid ...

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help people being treated for opioid addiction reduce their methadone dose and better manage pain and withdrawal ...