Outcome

This study shows that low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly reduces pain and improves quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Over an 8-week period participants experienced enhanced pain management and psychological benefits including reduced pain intensity improved pain acceptance and greater pain flexibility. In contrast the control group showed no improvements.

Introduction

This study explores the impact of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on women with fibromyalgia a chronic condition known for widespread pain and fatigue. Researchers aimed to see how 40 sessions of HBOT at 1.45 atmospheres absolute (ATA) influenced pain perception and quality of life. Participants in the HBOT group showed notable improvements in various psychological aspects of pain such as pain intensity pain acceptance mental resilience and overall quality of life. In contrast the control group did not experience any significant changes. These findings indicate that HBOT could potentially be an effective treatment for reducing pain and enhancing the quality of life in women suffering from fibromyalgia.

Results

In this randomized controlled trial researchers investigated the effects of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on self-perceived pain and quality of life in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Seventeen women participated in the HBOT group where they received 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy at 1.45 ATA over eight weeks. Sixteen women were assigned to the control group receiving no such treatment.

Results showed that the HBOT group experienced significant improvements in several psychological constructs related to pain including a reduction in pain intensity pain catastrophizing and mental defeat. Additionally enhancements were noted in pain acceptance and psychological flexibility leading to a notable improvement in their overall quality of life. These changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05) while the control group showed no improvements in any of the measured variables.

The findings of this study suggest that low-pressure HBOT could be an effective therapeutic strategy for addressing psychological aspects of pain and enhancing the quality of life in women suffering from fibromyalgia.

Conclusion

In conclusion this study provides compelling evidence that low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at 1.45 ATA can significantly improve various pain-related psychological factors and overall quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Over the course of 40 sessions participants in the HBOT group showed notable enhancements in self-perceived pain intensity pain catastrophism pain acceptance pain flexibility and mental defeat. These improvements were not observed in the control group emphasizing the potential efficacy of HBOT in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Importantly the study reported no conflicts of interest and it was supported by grants from Generalitat Valenciana and Universitat de València underscoring its unbiased nature. This evidence suggests that incorporating HBOT could be a valuable addition to the therapeutic strategies for fibromyalgia specifically targeting the psychological constructs related to pain and improving patients’ quality of life.