Effect of hydrogen-oxygen inhalation on sleep disorders and abnormal mood: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

JOURNAL/mgres/04.03/01612956-202606000-00002/figure1/v/2025-08-18T154854Z/r/image-tiff Sleep disorders are associated with various chronic diseases. While hydrogen has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic effects and has potential applications in disease management, its impact on sleep disorders remains unclear. This single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial from September 2022 to July 2023 at the Second Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital and the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College examined the effect of hydrogen-oxygen on sleep disorders. Sixty-six participants with sleep disorders were randomly divided into a control group and a hydrogen-oxygen group that received nasal gas inhalation for seven days. Sleep quality and mood were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. An Actiwatch helped evaluate the effects of two kinds of gas inhalation on total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and the wake time of patients with sleep disorders. The control group showed no significant changes in sleep parameters during treatment, whereas the hydrogen-oxygen group showed significant improvements in total sleep time and sleep efficiency on days 3, 5, and 7 and significant reductions in wake time on days 3 and 7. Compared with those in the control group, the total sleep time was greater and the wake time was lower in the hydrogen-oxygen group. After 7 days, the scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Self-Rating Depression Scale in the hydrogen-oxygen group were lower than those in the control group, whereas the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores did not differ significantly. Hydrogen-oxygen therapy effectively improved sleep disorders by reducing wake time, relieving psychological stress, and enhancing sleep quality. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration No. ChiCTR2400084103).

Keywords: abnormal mood; hydrogen and oxygen inhalation; hydrogen and oxygen therapy; insomnia; sleep disorders; sleep efficiency; sleep maintenance; sleep quality; total sleep time; wake time.