Multiplace and monoplace hyperbaric oxygen treatment chambers share the same purpose – to deliver 100% pure oxygen at higher-than-normal pressure – but the administration of the treatment is quite different.

Both of these chambers have been approved by the FDA to treat many different medical conditions, but it’s important to understand the differences because it could impact your choice of treatment and help you prepare for your experience.

Let’s take a closer look at each type of chamber and compare the procedures and potential benefits.

The Monoplace HBOT Chamber

As the name suggests, this is a single-person HBOT chamber, which means the patient can expect more privacy, quicker treatments, and more comfort. This may be a particularly important feature if your treatment is going to continue for some time.

The chamber walls are made of clear acrylic, so the patient can easily see outside, which reduces the feeling of claustrophobia and opens up more entertainment options. (Patients can watch their favorite movies or TV shows on a screen just outside their chamber.)

Each of these high-tech chambers are also designed with a communications system so patients always have a direct line to our specialists if they have any questions or concerns during the treatment. This could include questions about the procedure or just requesting a warmer or cooler temperature inside the chamber.

Special clothing is required in a monoplace chamber, and patients won’t be allowed to bring anything else in with them. This is a safety requirement. So, that means no cell phones, books, magazines, etc. However, no hood or mask is required in a monoplace chamber, which, we have found, makes for a much more comfortable experience than a multiplace chamber.

One of the most important advantages of a monoplace chamber, though, is the ability to individualize the procedure to the patient’s exact needs. The patient can easily receive the treatment that addresses their particular medical condition. A multiplace chamber doesn’t have the same versatility (more on that below).

The Multiplace HBOT Chamber

This type of chamber is designed to fit more than one person (anywhere from 2 to 24 people are possible, but most often it’s 5 or 6 people at a time) and, instead of filling the entire space with pure oxygen, patients breathe the 100% oxygen through masks or hoods.

Multiplace chambers are most often used in hospitals and trauma centers where multiple patients have to be treated at once or where patients require specialized seating or wheelchair space. This can be beneficial in some cases, but may not provide the same levels of efficiency, convenience, and comfort of monoplace HBOT chambers.

The air pressure in a multiplace chamber is not as high as a monoplace chamber, which is why people receiving treatment in them are often wearing their normal clothes, reading books, or using their mobile devices. Patients are able to lay down in the chamber or sit up on a bench while they watch the TV or use other forms of entertainment.

These chambers will, of course, also have communication systems to keep in touch with staff members on the outside.

There are, however, a few disadvantages with multiplace chambers that should be mentioned. For example, many patients find breathing through a mask or hood to be fairly uncomfortable. It also means that many people will be sharing the same area, which can feel a bit claustrophobic.

It should also be noted that, since the entire chamber is pressured at the same level, patients don’t get the same kind of customized hyperbaric treatment that they would get in an individual monoplace chamber.

Which Is Right for You?

It’s important to understand the physics and physiology of hyperbaric oxygen so you are prepared for your treatment and your experience inside a monoplace or multiplace HBOT chamber.

We are here to answer all your questions about hyperbaric oxygen and get you ready for treatment. We understand that many people are nervous about getting HBOT, but both of these types of chambers are well-tested and shown to be an effective solution for many conditions.

Schedule an appointment with us today at 1-888-303-HBOT, or email us anytime at info@aaltohyperbaric.com to learn more about your options.