Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces muscle tenderness and raises pain threshold in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduced pain and tenderness in patients with fibromyalgia.

Citation/s:
Yildiz S, Kiralp MZ, Akin A, Keskin, I, Ay H, Dursun H, Cimsit M. A new treatment modality for fibromyalgia syndrome: hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Journal of International Medical Research 2004; 32: 263-267.
Lead author's name and fax: S Yildiz . Email: senolyildiz@hotmail.com

Three-part Clinical Question: For patients with fibromyalgia, does the administration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, compared to no specific therapy, result in improvement in symptoms?
Search Terms: Algometer; Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy; Fibromyalgia; Pain Threshold

The Study:
Double-blinded randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat.
The Study Patients: Patients with FMS according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology.
Control group (N = 24; 24 analysed): Air breathing at 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes daily, Monday to Friday to a total of 15 sessions.
Experimental group (N = 26; 26 analysed): 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA on the schedule.

The Evidence:

 

Outcomes after 15 sessions

Sham Group

HBO Group

Difference

95% CI

Mean

SD

Mean

SD

Number of tender points

12.54

1.1

6.04

1.18

6.50

5.85 to 7.15

Pain threshold (units unknown)

0.84

0.12

1.33

0.12

-0.49

-0.56 to -0.42

Pain (VAS 1-100)

55.42

6.58

31.54

8.34

23.88

19.58 to 28.18

Comments:
1. Outcomes measured only to completion of treatment, no insight into longer-term effects.                                                                                      2. Other treatment options for FMS were not discussed.                                                                                                    3. Pain and tenderness were the only symptoms measured; no consideration of other FMS symptoms (e.g. fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritable bowel syndrome,  stiffness, swelling, muscle spasm).                                                                                                                                                                                                 4. No information given on baseline patient characteristics.

Appraised by: Amy Gibbens and Mike Bennett, Dept of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.; Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Email: amy.gibbens@student.unsw.edu.au, m.bennett@unsw.edu.au
Kill or Update By: July 2010