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Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Managing Chronic Pain Syndromes - A Systematic Review
Anna-Maria Leys1, Guy Henri Hans2, Vera Saldien1
1Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Journal of Pain Research
|March 31, 2026
Summary
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows promise for chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia, improving pain and function. However, more rigorous trials are needed due to study limitations and varied results across conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Hyperbaric Medicine
- Systematic Reviews
Background:
- Chronic pain affects millions globally, with current treatments offering limited relief.
- Tissue hypoxia and redox imbalance are implicated in chronic pain pathophysiology.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is explored as a potential adjunctive treatment for chronic pain syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the therapeutic effects of HBOT in adults with chronic pain.
- To evaluate HBOT's impact on pain intensity, distribution, sensitivity, and related outcomes.
- To assess safety and tolerability of HBOT in chronic pain management.
Main Methods:
- A PRISMA-guided systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and August 2025.
- Included RCTs evaluated HBOT in adults with chronic pain, focusing on pain measures and multidimensional outcomes.
- Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool; results were narratively synthesized due to heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Eleven RCTs (480 participants) were analyzed, primarily focusing on fibromyalgia.
- HBOT demonstrated within-group improvements in pain, functioning, and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.
- Evidence for other conditions like CRPS and trigeminal neuralgia was limited, with no significant benefit in radiation-induced brachial plexopathy; HBOT was generally well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- HBOT presents potential as an adjunctive therapy for specific chronic pain conditions, notably fibromyalgia.
- Methodological limitations, inconsistent efficacy, and lack of long-term data necessitate further research.
- Larger, standardized trials are required before recommending routine clinical use of HBOT for chronic pain.
Keywords:
HBOTchronic paincomplex regional pain syndromefibromyalgiafunctional outcomestrigeminal neuralgiaMore Related Videos
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