Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Notable studies

• 2013, Akarsu, Selim; Tekin, Levent; Ay, Hakan; Carli, Alparslan Bayram; Tok, Fatih; Simşek, Kemal; Kiralp, Mehmet Zeki (April 2013), "The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome", Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine: Journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc, 40 (2): 197–200, ISSN 1066-2936, PMID 23682549

Fukuda criteria

• 2003, Hyperbaric Therapy in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  "Abstract - The aim of this study was to determine if hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) could be used as adjunctive therapy and if HBOT could increase the quality of life in such a way that the functional status would improve in patients with an infection. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 15 Mycoplasma sp. infected CFS (CDC 1994) patients and 14 CFS (CDC 1994) patients with no evidence of a Mycoplasma infection were enrolled in a convenience randomization sample from our referral clinic. No statistical differences were found by use of univariate repeated measures although Bodily Pain as measured by the SF-36 seems to decrease after hyperbaric therapy (Greenhouse-Geisser: p = .010). Trends were found using paired t-testing for Mycoplasma infected CFS patients. The general perceived fatigue seemed to decrease after hyperbaric therapy (General Fatigue: p = .06). Directly after one week of hyperbaric therapy general fatigue improved (p = .03) but there was a reduction of activity (reduced activity: p = .05) and general perceived health (general health: p = .04). One month later the physical role increased (Role-Physical: p = .07). Although more data is required to make firm conclusions, trends were found. Reduced fatigue, increased levels of activity and an improved reaction time improved significantly their quality of life and therefore, enhanced also their functional status and thus could be used as an adjunctive therapy."

Fukuda criteria

Medical Journals

Women in Fibromyalgia hyperbaric oxygen therapy study had concussions. "Patients who had fibromyalgia in addition to their post-concussion symptoms had complete resolution of the symptoms,... " Due to this statement it is the opinion of some that this is in reality a study on concussions and not Fibromyalgia.

Media Coverage

Fibromyalgia Treatment with Hyperbaric Chamber Shows Promise EmpowHER - Michelle Blacsberg, RN - "Use of HBOT to treat those with fibromyalgia is not new. A 2004 study showed it did have success in a small study but they felt that HBOT was helpful to fibromyalgia patients due to increased oxygenated blood flow to tissues."

Learn more

• 2016, Parliamentary Questions | hyperbaric oxygen chambers for people with fibromyalgia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) - A 36-item patient-reported questionnaire, used to determine patient health status and quality of life.

mitochondria Important parts of the biological cell, with each mitochondrion encased within a mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondria are best known for their role in energy production, earning them the nickname "the powerhouse of the cell". Mitochondria also participate in the detection of threats and the response to these threats. One of the responses to threats orchestrated by mitochondria is apoptosis, a cell suicide program used by cells when the threat can not be eliminated.