Patient-Facing AI-Enabled Digital Health Technologies and Quality of Life in Cancer: Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the intermittent inhalation of 100% oxygen under pressures exceeding 1.3 atmosphere absolute (ATA), has been utilized for over a century in various medical disciplines [, ]. Initially rooted in diving and wound management, slowly but surely an expanding interest as an effective adjunct in musculoskeletal medicine, particularly in sports orthopedics and regenerative rehabilitation, has been happening due to its support in potential acceleration of healing and potential of oxygenation in underperfused tissue [, ]. In recent years, HBOT has gained traction among professional athletes, benefiting from its recovery-enhancing effects [–]. Athletes frequently suffer musculoskeletal injuries demanding rapid and complete recovery, intensifying the need for therapeutic strategies that accelerate tissue repair and enable safe return to play []. HBOT, with its capacity to increase tissue oxygenation and modulate inflammation, has been proposed as one such strategy, also among the physically active working society [, ]. HBOT’s primary mechanism, namely elevating oxygen tension in hypoxic tissue, has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis, reduce inflammation, and accelerate cellular repair, offering theoretical benefits in soft tissue and bone healing [, ]. Given this, it also exerts therapeutic effects through several mechanisms relevant to musculoskeletal healing. By elevating oxygen partial pressure in plasma, HBOT enhances oxygen delivery to hypoxic or inflamed tissues, even in areas with poor perfusion such as tendons, cartilage, or ischemic bone [, ]. This oxygen surplus has been shown to promote angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen synthesis - key processes in tendon and ligament repair [–]. Preclinical evidence has suggested potential HBOT effects across musculoskeletal tissues, though findings varied by tissue type and model []: In bone, HBOT seems to stimulate osteoblast activity, enhance mineralization, and upregulate pro-regenerative transcription factors like Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Piezo1-YAP signaling []. In muscle, it may reduce secondary damage through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, while improving mitochondrial function and vascular remodeling [, , ].