Specialized Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stroke: Regaining Function Even Years Later

The road to recovery after a stroke can feel daunting, especially when simple daily tasks and independence are affected. Did you know that specialized hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke can offer a research-backed approach to support the brain’s natural recovery?  At Aviv Clinics, we combine this unique hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol with personalized interventions to provide a comprehensive path to improved cognitive and physical function. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about the unique HBOT protocol used at Aviv Clinics, and discover the science behind its ability to improve brain health, even years after a stroke, so you can regain physical vibrancy and emotional well-being.

“Clinical evidence suggests that treatment with a specialized hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol can induce brain neuroplasticity and improve memory, attention, executive function, information processing, speed, and motor skills in post-stroke patients, even years after the initial stroke.”

Watch our pre-recorded stroke webinar:
Recovering After a Stroke: Is it ever too late?

 

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Stroke Recovery? 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a type of medical treatment where patients breathe 100% pure medical-grade oxygen inside a pressurized chamber.  The combination of oxygen and increased pressure boosts oxygen levels in the body up to 20 times higher than normal, helping speed up the body’s self-healing mechanisms. 

How Aviv Clinics’ Unique HBOT Protocol Helps Post-stroke Patients

An evidence-based, specialized HBOT increases oxygen delivery to injured brain tissue, triggers new blood vessel growth, and promotes neuroplasticity, which helps restore memory, attention, and motor skills.

When a stroke occurs, some brain tissue dies while other tissue is damaged. Although tissue death cannot be reversed, HBOT can help trigger the body to repair the damaged brain tissue. By initiating the body’s self-repair mechanisms, cognitive and physical function can be improved after a stroke. 

As part of the Aviv Medical Program, Aviv follows a unique, highly specialized HBOT protocol for stroke that differs from standard hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Here’s how our specialized process differs: 

• Aviv uses multiplace oxygen chambers. These are large, comfortable hyperbaric treatment suites that can fit up to 14 people and an in-suite medical team member. Most other HBOT facilities employ small, cylindrical one-person HBOT chambers. 

• Clients breathe 100% pure oxygen through a mask in an environment that is pressurized with normal air (21% oxygen). Breathing 100% oxygen increases the concentration of oxygen in the blood to help deliver oxygen to the cells that need it. Because Aviv’s multiplace suites are pressurized with air instead of oxygen, the risk of adverse events is decreased.

• Clients follow a specific, evidence-based protocol where they breathe 100% oxygen for 20 minutes and take the mask off for 5 minutes to breathe normal air (21% oxygen).  Although clients never enter a low-oxygen state, the fluctuations in oxygen level deceive the body into believing it is in a low-oxygen, hypoxic state. When the brain and body believe they are starving for oxygen, it initiates our natural cell repair and regeneration mode. Traditional HBOT protocols do not incorporate these fluctuations.

Clinical Evidence: Research on HBOT and Late-Stage Stroke Recovery

Recent clinical studies at The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research have evaluated the effects of this same hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol on stroke patients suffering from neurological deficiencies. These studies show the powerful potential of HBOT as it:

• Triggers neuroplasticity—when healthy parts of the brain assist injured parts of the brain
• Encourages neurogenesis—the creation of new nerve cells
• Creates new blood vessels for higher blood flow and oxygenation of tissue
• Increase neurocognitive abilities in post-stroke patients 

We’ll let these research findings and case studies do the rest of the talking: 

• “The results indicate that HBOT can lead to significant neurological improvements in post-stroke patients even at chronic late stages.” –Dr. Shai Efrati, Founder and Director of The Sagol Center

• “The results illustrate the potential of [HBOT] for improving memory impairments in post-stroke patients, even years after the acute event.” –Rahav Boussi-Gross, MA 

I have personally witnessed these types of results here at Aviv Clinics. One example was a 64-year-old woman who suffered from left hemiparesis, or weakness in the left side of the body, after an ischemic stroke. She had a stroke two full years before coming to our program. We were able to significantly improve the blood flow throughout her brain. This person actually had improvement in their left-sided stroke symptoms two years after the stroke, long after her traditional therapies had plateaued.

Who Can Benefit From HBOT After a Stroke?

Stroke survivors at any stage, even years after the event, can see improvements in cognitive and physical function under Aviv Clinics’ personalized medical program.

Though many HBOT studies have been conducted on patients who have experienced their stroke incident within a three-year timeframe, “Dr. Efrati has seen similar improvement in patients whose brain injuries occurred up to 20 years before.” This refutes the concept that the brain has a limited window for growth and change.

Watch Cindy’s Remarkable Story

Nearly four years after suffering a devastating stroke, Cindy Parsons. was still waiting and experiencing the lasting effects that left her unable to independently perform many daily tasks — until she discovered Aviv Clinics. “It didn’t take long at Aviv before I was able to get the courage to try things. And now, that fear is almost, I’d say 95% gone. I wanted to be able to comb my hair. I wanted to drive. And yes, because of Aviv, I am able to do those things — and it has changed my life.”

The Aviv Medical Program: Combining Stroke with Cognitive, Physical, and Nutritional Therapies

Our program was developed based on Dr. Efrati’s research. Gaining function and abilities more than six months post-stroke requires working with a diverse medical team of physicians, nurses, and therapists. Aviv Clinics leverages its comprehensive team to offer a high-quality program that meets your needs. 

Personalized Program Tailored to Your Recovery Goals

The Aviv Medical Program can combine the following therapies in a personalized, physician-guided program to help treat the body and brain after a stroke. Based on each client’s needs, symptoms, and a comprehensive evaluation, this program may include: 

• Cognitive training 
• Physical training and/or physical therapy
• Dietary coaching
• The unique Aviv hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol

“How can you put a price on relying on your mind?…[The Aviv Medical Program] is a commitment to yourself. It’s a commitment to your health.”  — Keren Trabelsi, stroke survivor and former Aviv Clinics patient

Three Steps to Regaining Function After a Stroke With HBOT

Aviv Clinics’ approach entails a three-step process: 

1. Medical assessment: Our assessment process will identify how much of your brain tissue died from the stroke and how much of it is merely injured. These injured, or stunned, areas are where we ultimately want to help regain your capabilities. Our board-certified physicians and clinical team will recommend a battery of physical, cognitive, and neurological tests to evaluate your function in these areas and establish a baseline.
2. Tailored program: We use your results to develop a personalized therapy plan. This plan may include cognitive and physical training, dietary coaching, and our specialized hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol. For stroke patients, HBOT sessions are typically conducted two hours a day, five days a week, for up to 12 weeks, with additional therapies scheduled based on your recovery needs and goals.
3. Post-assessment and evaluation: At your request, we can repeat the tests from the initial assessment to measure your improvement and make recommendations for ongoing progress. 

Please keep in mind that not everyone will be a candidate for the Aviv Medical Program. Our rigorous assessment process will ensure that you are a good match for the program. Contact us to schedule a free consultation:

 

Potential Benefits for Brain, Body, and Cells in Post-Stroke Recovery

When combined with personalized cognitive, physical, and nutritional therapies, HBOT as a part of your stroke regimen may produce impressive outcomes, even years after a stroke. Published clinical trials indicate that these outcomes may include: 

• Improved speech and ability to read/write
• Restored motor function, even with paresis
• Return to independence in performing many activities of daily living

Many of our clients report that the biggest benefit is simply not being “a burden” on their loved ones.

The therapies included in the Aviv Medical Program can impact the brain, body, and cells even years after suffering a stroke. 

Benefits for your brain*:

• Rejuvenation of injured brain tissue, restoring some impacted functions 
• Increased blood flow in the parts of the brain associated with sensation, memory, vision, and attention
• New stem cells and blood vessels in the brain (angiogenesis)
• Improved psychomotor function (the combination of precise motor responses and cognitive problem-solving abilities)

• Triggered neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt/react in response to injury or disease) in the injured parts of the brain
• Triggered neurogenesis (neuronal, or nerve cell) regeneration that occurs in the brain.
• Improved overall quality of life 

Benefits for your body*:

• Better physical performance: mobility, fitness, strength, coordination, balance, gait
• Improved NIHSS (neurological motor function score), ADL (activities of daily living score), and EQ-5D (quality of life score)
• Boosted power and stamina
• Reduced pain (strong anti-inflammatory effect)
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved sexual performance 

Cellular benefits*:

• Strengthened immune system
• Encouragement for stem cells (the building blocks of tissue rejuvenation) to multiply and migrate
• Lengthened telomeres (the protective caps at the end of each strand of DNA), associated with extending our biological clock
• Reduced senescent cells (known to contribute to many age-related diseases)
• Increased mitochondrial function (the power center of the cell)

*Individual patient results may vary.

Learn if You Qualify for the Aviv Medical Program

Every stroke survivor’s journey is unique, but ongoing recovery is possible, even years after a stroke. Speak with our team at Aviv Clinics to learn how the Aviv Medical Program and our specialized hyperbaric oxygen therapy for stroke may help you gain independence and improve your quality of life.

 

Last Update: September 26, 2025