Hyperbaric medicine, also known as
hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is the medical use of
oxygen at a level higher than
atmospheric pressure. The equipment required consists of a pressure chamber, which may be of rigid or flexible construction, and a means of delivering 100% oxygen. Operation is performed to a predetermined schedule by trained personnel who monitor the patient and may adjust the schedule as required. HBOT found early use in the treatment of
decompression sickness, and has also shown great effectiveness in treating conditions such as
gas gangrene and
carbon monoxide poisoning. More recent research has examined the possibility that it may also have value for other conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, but no significant evidence has been found.