The "sleep myth" of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber has caused controversy: industry review under exaggerated efficacy and lack of standards
From "high-altitude emergency" to "sleep repair": the functional evolution of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber
The core principle of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber is to increase the blood oxygen saturation of the human body and accelerate the discharge of metabolic waste by pressurizing the closed cabin (usually 1.3-1.5 times the atmospheric pressure) and delivering high-concentration oxygen. Its initial application scenarios were first aid for altitude sickness, treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, and postoperative wound repair, which are auxiliary means in the medical field.
However, in recent years, with the exploration of the consumer market, the functions of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber have been expanded to "anti-aging", "sports recovery", "sleep repair" and other scenarios. Especially in the context of the explosion of the sleep economy (the market size of China's sleep economy will exceed 600 billion yuan in 2023), its "improving sleep" propaganda point accurately hits the pain points of urban people-data from the China Sleep Research Society show that more than 38% of adults have difficulty falling asleep or are easy to wake up from shallow sleep, and the insomnia rate in first-tier cities has exceeded 45%.
The head of a chain health care center introduced to reporters: "The micro-pressure oxygen chamber experience package we launched focuses on the promotion of '30 minutes of in-cabin healing, 30% increase in deep sleep', and the repurchase rate exceeds 60%." On social platforms, there are tens of thousands of notes on "micro-pressure oxygen chamber sleep aid", and users share experiences such as "sleep in seconds" and "fewer dreams", further amplifying its label as a "sleep artifact".
Efficacy controversy: Is it an "auxiliary tool" or a "sleep savior"?
However, behind the market enthusiasm, the medical community has raised cautious doubts about the "sleep repair" effect of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber.
"Micro-pressure oxygen therapy can indeed improve brain oxygen supply by increasing blood oxygen content, thereby reducing the number of night awakenings caused by hypoxia." Wang Lei, professor of neurobiology at the School of Medicine of Tsinghua University, explained, "But our team's clinical trials in 2022 showed that the subjects who received micro-pressure oxygen therapy for 7 consecutive days and 60 minutes a day had an average increase in sleep efficiency (percentage of deep sleep time) of about 15%-20%, which is significantly different from the merchant's claim that 'one time is equal to 8 hours of deep sleep'."
He further pointed out that the causes of sleep disorders are complex, including psychological stress, circadian rhythm disorders, endocrine disorders, etc. "The micro-pressure oxygen chamber is essentially an auxiliary means, not a 'radical solution'. If consumers equate it with a 'sleep elixir' and ignore standardized treatments such as sleep cognitive behavioral therapy and drug intervention, it may delay the disease."
What is more noteworthy is that the publicity of some merchants has touched the red line of medical ethics. The reporter searched on the e-commerce platform and found that the details page of a certain brand of micro-pressure oxygen chamber clearly marked "cure insomnia" and "replace sleeping pills"; an offline experience hall launched a "sleep package" of "90 minutes of cabin + sleep-aiding music", priced at 800 yuan per time. In this regard, Professor Li Min, executive director of the China Sleep Research Society, clearly stated: "Any propaganda claiming to be 'cured' or 'replaced by medicine' lacks evidence-based medical support and is false marketing."
Lack of standards: "barbaric growth" and safety hazards in the civilian market
In addition to the controversy over efficacy, another major hidden danger of the civilianization of micro-pressure oxygen chambers is the lack of industry standards.
At present, the production and sales of micro-pressure oxygen chambers in China have not yet been included in the medical device regulatory system. According to the official website of the State Food and Drug Administration (NMPA), micro-pressure oxygen chambers are not included in the "Medical Device Classification Catalog". Their production only needs to meet the safety standards of general industrial equipment, and key parameters such as air pressure control accuracy, oxygen concentration stability, and cabin sealing lack unified specifications.
This situation directly leads to the "mixed fish and dragons" in the market. The reporter secretly visited five micro-pressure oxygen chamber experience halls in Beijing and Shanghai and found that: the pressure fluctuation range of some equipment reached ±0.2 atmospheres (the industry standard recommends ±0.1 atmospheres), which may cause users to experience discomfort such as tinnitus and headaches; the oxygen concentration of a low-priced product was only nominally "high concentration", and the actual detection was only 25% (medical standards require ≥90%); some businesses used industrial-grade oxygen tanks to reduce costs, and the risk of impurity content exceeding the standard was prominent.
"Last year, we treated a patient who suffered from oxygen poisoning due to the use of inferior micro-pressure oxygen chambers, and had symptoms of nausea and convulsions." Zhang Liqun, director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, reminded, "The pressure, oxygen concentration, and use time of the micro-pressure oxygen chamber must be strictly matched to individual conditions. For example, if the oxygen concentration is too high when used by patients with hypertension, it may induce vasoconstriction; children, pregnant women and other special groups need professional evaluation."
The way out: industry self-discipline and regulatory follow-up
Faced with controversy and hidden dangers, the industry has begun to explore a way out.
Some leading companies have taken the initiative to apply for medical device certification. For example, the "home micro-compression oxygen chamber" launched by a medical technology company has passed the NMPA Class II medical device registration, and its product description clearly states "assisting in improving sleep" and "needs to be used under the guidance of a doctor". The person in charge of the company said: "We hope to use standardized parameters (such as pressure range 1.3-1.4ATA, oxygen concentration 93%±2%) and clinical data to set a benchmark for the industry."
On the other hand, regulatory authorities are already taking action. In November 2023, the State Food and Drug Administration issued the "Notice on Soliciting Opinions on the Guiding Principles for the Registration and Review of Medical Micro-compression Oxygen Chambers (Draft for Comments)", proposing to include some micro-compression oxygen chambers with medical functions under supervision. Industry experts suggest that in the future, the management model of medical hyperbaric oxygen chambers can be referred to, and "classified management" can be implemented for civilian micro-compression oxygen chambers - those with therapeutic functions need to be strictly approved, and those used only as health interventions need to be clearly marked with "auxiliary use" and contraindications for use.
Conclusion: Look at "sleep repair" rationally, don't let the gimmicks of science and technology cover up the essence
The emergence of micro-pressure oxygen chambers provides a new option for people with sleep disorders, but its effect of "repairing sleep" needs to return to the scientific essence. For consumers, rational cognition is more important than blindly following the trend: people with mild insomnia can try it, but they need to choose regular products and use them under the guidance of doctors; patients with moderate to severe insomnia should give priority to clinical diagnosis and treatment plans.
As Professor Wang Lei said: "The value of technology lies in solving problems, not creating anxiety. When the marketing language of "sleep repair" returns to the scientific positioning of "auxiliary intervention", and when industry standards fill the regulatory gaps, the micro-pressure oxygen chamber can truly become a "technological assistant" to protect sleep, rather than a "concept bubble" that overdraws trust."
