Summary of Study
The study titled “Comparative study of the effectiveness of a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment and physical exercise in women with fibromyalgia” explores whether low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) improves symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as chronic pain and fatigue, compared to physical exercise. Researchers aimed to determine which treatment provides better relief from symptoms and improves overall physical performance. The study addressed questions about the impact of these therapies on pain, endurance, fatigue, and functional capacity in women with fibromyalgia.
Methodology
The study included 49 women with fibromyalgia, randomly divided into three groups: one receiving low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy, another participating in a low-intensity exercise program, and a control group with no treatment. The hyperbaric group underwent 40 sessions of HBOT over eight weeks, while the exercise group completed 16 sessions of low-impact exercises. Researchers measured fatigue, pain levels, endurance, and physical performance before and after the treatments. Data were analyzed using statistical methods to compare results among the groups.
Results
Low-pressure hyperbaric therapy significantly reduced pain and fatigue. Participants in this group also saw improvements in endurance and functional capacity. Physical exercise led to improvements in endurance and pain at specific tender points but had no effect on general fatigue or pain at rest. The control group showed no improvements, and some symptoms worsened. HBOT demonstrated larger effects on reducing fatigue and pain compared to exercise.
Conclusion
Low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers significant benefits for women with fibromyalgia, especially for reducing pain and fatigue. While physical exercise improves some aspects of endurance and functional capacity, it does not provide the same relief for chronic fatigue or general pain. HBOT may be the preferred treatment for managing fibromyalgia symptoms, providing a less strenuous alternative to physical activity.
Source: Comparative study of the effectiveness of a low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment and physical exercise in women with fibromyalgia: randomized clinical trial | Ruth Izquierdo-Alventosa, Marta Inglés, Sara Cortés-Amador, Lucia Gimeno-Mallench, Núria Sempere-Rubio, Javier Chirivella, and Pilar Serra-Añó | DOI: 10.1177/1759720X20930493
