Wahl
A single session of hyperbaric oxygen produces a protective effect against hyperalgesia that persisted for at least a month.
Clinical Bottom Line:
1. Hyperbaric oxygen following an experimental burn injury produced a reduced area of secondary hyperalgesia.
2. This effect persisted for at least one month. No changes were seen after air breathing control subjects.
Citation/s:1.Wahl AM, Bidstrup D, Smidt-Nielsen IG, Werner MU, Hyldegaard O, Rotbøll-Nielsen P. A single session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy demonstrates acute and long-lasting neuroplasticity effects in humans: a replicated, randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of pain research. 2019;12:2337.
Lead author's name and email:Anna Wahl Annamygd@gmail.com
Three-part Clinical Question: For volunteers undergoing an experimental burn injury, does hyperbaric oxygen exposure compared to air breathing result in protection from subsequent hyperalgesia?
Search Terms: Thermal burn, nociception, hyperalgesia
The Study:Single-blinded concealed randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat.
The Study Patients: Healthy volunteers having an experimenat first degree burn injury applied to the lower limb. Same injury as Rasmussen 2015. Trial was crossed over after a minimum of 28 days.
Control group (N = 22; 19 analysed): Air breathing at 1 ATA
Experimental group (N = 20; 19 analysed): One session of breathing 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA for 90 minutes
Outcome |
Air breathing control |
Hyperbaric oxygen |
Difference |
P-value* | ||
Mean |
SD |
Mean |
SD |
13.2 |
0.02 | |
|
Secondary hyperalgesic area after injury (cm-sq) |
32.0 |
11.9 |
18.8 |
8.3 | ||
*Taken from paper – no 95% CI calculatable,
Comments:
1. Crossover design with examiner blinding to allocation.
2. 26 subjects enrolled but five did not complete interventions.
3. The area of secondary hyperalgesia was reduced after HBO exposure compared to air exposure and this effect carried over to the second session when HBO was given first. Thus, the effect persists for the 30 or so days between treatments.
4. These findings confirm the ability of HBO to cause neuroplasticity in experimental subjects.
Appraised by: Mike Bennett; Sunday, 1 November 2020 Email: m.bennett@unsw.edu.au
Kill or Update By: November 2022
