What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review of eleven randomized controlled trials to evaluate how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) affects adults with chronic pain.
What They Found
The review included eleven randomized controlled trials with a total of 480 participants, primarily focusing on fibromyalgia (8 studies) with sample sizes ranging from 17 to 71 participants. For fibromyalgia patients, HBOT consistently improved pain, daily functioning, and quality of life, with some studies showing better results compared to control groups. There was limited evidence of possible benefit for complex regional pain syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia, but no meaningful improvement was found for radiation-induced brachial plexopathy.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This systematic review suggests that HBOT could be a beneficial adjunctive treatment for Canadian patients experiencing chronic pain, particularly those with fibromyalgia. While more research is needed, these findings offer a potential avenue for improved pain management and better quality of life for individuals struggling with persistent pain conditions. Patients should discuss HBOT with their healthcare providers to see if it is a suitable option for their specific condition.
Canadian Relevance
This review covers radiation-induced brachial neuropathy, which falls under delayed radiation injury, a Health Canada-recognized indication for HBOT.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation was that most included trials had some concerns or a high risk of bias, mainly due to subjective outcomes and the inability to blind participants.