Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS, affects people in South Africa and around the world, often for years at a time. Because there is still no single accepted approach to managing it, many people living with the condition keep a close eye on new research and emerging options.
In this article, we look at what ME/CFS is, why researchers have become interested in oxygen, what recent studies have found and how hospital HBOT differs from lower-pressure wellness sessions.
Understanding ME/CFS
ME/CFS is a long-term condition marked by deep, persistent exhaustion that does not improve with rest. Many people also experience unrefreshing sleep, difficulty concentrating and a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental effort, often called post-exertional malaise.
Researchers now describe it as a complex condition involving the nervous, immune and vascular systems, as well as the way the body produces energy. Some cases follow a viral infection, and interest has grown since the pandemic because some people with long COVID develop a similar pattern of symptoms.
Because the causes are still being studied, care usually focuses on managing symptoms and pacing daily activity. This is one reason researchers continue to explore additional approaches that could complement existing care.
Why Researchers Are Looking at Oxygen
Conventional hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurised chamber, usually at around 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) in hospital settings. Under these conditions, far more oxygen dissolves into the blood plasma than when breathing normal air.
Some studies of ME/CFS point to reduced blood flow in parts of the brain and changes in how cells produce energy. Researchers want to know whether repeated sessions of high oxygen, followed by a return to normal levels, might influence these processes over time.
This idea is sometimes called the hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox, where alternating oxygen levels may prompt the body to respond in ways usually triggered by low oxygen. It remains an active area of study, which is why it is now being tested in carefully designed trials.
What the Research Has Found So Far
One of the earliest studies of hyperbaric oxygen for chronic fatigue was published in 2013 in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Sixteen adults with CFS received 15 sessions over three weeks at a clinical hyperbaric centre, and their fatigue and quality of life scores improved, although the study had no comparison group.
A larger study from Charité in Berlin, published in the Journal of Translational Medicine in 2026, followed 30 adults with ME/CFS who completed 40 sessions at 2 ATA while breathing 100% oxygen for 90 minutes. Participants showed improvements in physical functioning, fatigue, pain and cognitive performance, and the researchers called for a controlled trial to confirm the findings.
That next step is already under way. A randomised, sham-controlled trial at the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research in Israel began in 2026 and aims to enrol 74 adults, each receiving 60 sessions at 2 ATA. Its results should give a much clearer picture of HBOT for ME/CFS.
Hospital HBOT and Lower-Pressure Sessions
The Berlin and Israeli studies used medical chambers at 2 ATA with 100% oxygen under clinical supervision. Lower-pressure wellness chambers typically run between about 1.1 and 1.4 ATA with concentrated oxygen delivered through a mask, so the pressure, oxygen dose and intended use are different.
This means findings on oxygen therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome should be read according to the protocol that was actually studied. Anyone living with ME/CFS is best guided by their doctor, who understands their history and can advise on suitable next steps.
Lower-pressure sessions serve a different purpose. Many people explore them as a calm, restful part of a broader wellness routine, following appropriate screening and trained operating procedures. As with any wellness practice, individual experiences differ.
In Conclusion
ME/CFS is a complex, long-term condition, and researchers are exploring conventional hospital HBOT as a possible addition to existing care. Early studies have reported improvements in fatigue and daily functioning, and the controlled trials now under way should help clarify these findings.
If you are curious whether a Solid O₂ MedHBOT wellness session may suit your goals, book a consultation through our website to learn how our sessions work and discuss the appropriate next step. MedHBOT is our term for a controlled, pressurised environment in which you breathe concentrated oxygen through a mask, and it differs from clinical HBOT in pressure, oxygen delivery and intended use. If you would like a supported chamber for your home or business, request a free quote and our team will take you through installation, operator training and local maintenance.