Our Research
Advancing Evidence-Based Hyperbaric Medicine
Research is central to Summit Hyperbarics & Wellness. Our program is designed to strengthen the evidence base for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and improve care for the charitable populations we serve.
By combining clinical care with carefully designed outcomes research, we investigate how HBOT may influence recovery from neurologic injury, mental health symptoms, and functional impairment. Every study is grounded in scientific rigor, participant safety, and ethical accountability.
Research Focus Areas
Current Areas of Investigation
Our active research program examines how hyperbaric medicine and integrated clinical care influence recovery, resilience, and long-term function. Current areas of investigation include:
- HBOT: Evaluating treatment protocols and clinical effectiveness across defined populations.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Assessing neurologic recovery and symptom change over time.
- Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS): Studying persistent cognitive, emotional, and physical effects after concussion.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Measuring changes in trauma-related symptom burden and quality of life.
- Neurocognitive Function: Tracking attention, memory, processing speed, and executive performance.
- Biomarkers of Inflammation and Neurologic Injury: Examining biologic indicators associated with treatment response and recovery.
- Quality of Life: Evaluating physical, emotional, and social well-being outcomes.
- Functional Recovery: Measuring return to meaningful daily activities and role performance.
- Clinical Outcomes Research: Integrating real-world care data to improve protocols and participant-centered care.
For additional clinical context, review our Clinical Areas of Focus and Conditions page.
As our research program grows, additional areas of investigation may be added.
Scientific Integrity & Participant Safety
Ethical, Regulatory, and Clinical Safeguards
Participant safety is the foundation of every study conducted at Summit. Research is performed in accordance with applicable ethical, regulatory, and scientific standards.
- Ethical Oversight: Depending on the study, protocols may include Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight and federal regulatory oversight.
- Informed Consent: Potential participants receive clear study information, including risks, benefits, and alternatives, before any research procedures begin.
- Ongoing Safety Monitoring: Clinical and operational safeguards are used throughout participation to identify and address safety concerns promptly.
- Voluntary Participation: Participation is always voluntary, and choosing not to participate in research will never affect access to clinical care at Summit.
Research Leadership
Experienced Professionals Guiding the Program
Summit's research program is led by experienced healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing evidence-based hyperbaric medicine.
Working collaboratively, our research team conducts studies with scientific rigor while maintaining high standards of participant care, ethics, and data quality. As our program grows, additional investigators and collaborating professionals will join our research team.
Publications & Scientific Presentations
Sharing Findings with the Broader Scientific Community
Summit is committed to sharing research findings with the broader medical and scientific community. As studies are completed, this section will include:
- Peer-reviewed publications
- Conference presentations
- Research posters
- Public reports
- Educational resources
By sharing our findings, we hope to improve patient care well beyond our own organization.
Interested in Research?
How Participation Works at Summit
Most research opportunities at Summit are available to individuals receiving care through Summit Hyperbarics & Wellness. If you are interested in participating in a research study, begin by following Summit's standard process for accessing services.
Individuals first connect with Operation Resilient Path (ORP), the participant navigation program for the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse campus. If you meet the population criteria for one of Summit's charitable programs, ORP will connect you with Summit to begin the clinical evaluation process.
Following your evaluation, you may be invited to participate in one or more research studies if you meet the study's eligibility criteria. Participation in research is always voluntary and is never required to receive clinical care.
If a future study has eligibility requirements that differ from Summit's standard participant pathway, those requirements will be described on the individual study page.
Current Research Studies
Our Research Portfolio
Summit Hyperbarics & Wellness is committed to advancing evidence-based hyperbaric medicine through carefully designed clinical research.
Each study within our research portfolio addresses a unique scientific question while sharing a common commitment to participant safety, scientific integrity, and improving patient care.
Most studies are available only to eligible participants receiving care through Summit. Individual study eligibility and enrollment criteria vary.
Active Study
Explore Our Current Enrollment Opportunity
Our current featured clinical study evaluates HBOT for veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress symptoms under a structured research protocol.
View full details, eligibility criteria, study design, and participant safeguards on the dedicated study page.
Our Research Collaborations
Collaborating for Innovation
We collaborate with universities, healthcare organizations, and clinical experts who share our commitment to advancing hyperbaric medicine responsibly. These collaborations strengthen protocol development, broaden scientific perspective, and support high-quality data generation.
As our program expands, we will continue building thoughtful collaborations that improve study quality, accelerate learning, and translate research findings into better care for the populations we serve.