Yildiz
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy reduces muscle tenderness and raises pain threshold in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
Clinical bottom line: 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). 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: June 2020