The researchers were attempting to review all current data regarding the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for management of chronic pain, including fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome.  Early research shows that this may be effective for controlling many chronic pain conditions.  Further research is needed to determine if HBOT is safe and effective for pain control.

Glossary:

HBOT: hyperbaric oxygen therapy; this is providing 100% oxygen at a pressure greater than at sea level

The Research

Pain Pract. 2016 Jun;16(5):620-8. doi: 10.1111/papr.12312. Epub 2015 May 19.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A New Treatment for Chronic Pain?

Sutherland AM¹, Clarke HA¹, Katz J^1,2, Katznelson R^1,3.

Author information:

  ¹Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

  ²Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.

  ³Hyperbaric Medical Unit, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment providing 100% oxygen at a pressure greater than that at sea level. HBOT is becoming increasingly recognized as a potential treatment modality for a broad range of ailments, including chronic pain. In this narrative review, we discuss the current understanding of pathophysiology of nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and the body of animal studies addressing mechanisms by which HBOT may ameliorate these different types of pain. Finally, we review clinical studies suggesting that HBOT may be useful in treating chronic pain syndromes, including chronic headache, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia.

DATABASE AND DATA TREATMENT:

A comprehensive search through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies relating to HBOT and pain was performed using the following keywords: hyperbaric oxygen therapy or hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), nociceptive pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, HBOT AND pain, HBOT AND headache, HBOT AND fibromyalgia, HBOT AND complex regional pain syndrome, and HBOT AND trigeminal neuralgia.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five studies examining the role of HBOT in animal models of pain and human clinical trials were found and reviewed for this narrative review.

CONCLUSIONS:

HBOT has been shown to reduce pain using animal models. Early clinical research indicates HBOT may also be useful in modulating human pain; however, further studies are required to determine whether HBOT is a safe and efficacious treatment modality for chronic pain conditions.

© 2015 World Institute of Pain.

PMID: 25988526 [PubMed – in process