Fibromyalgia: Oxygen drives away the pain

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MunichDiffuse pain, fatigue and concentration problems - Fibromyalgia is a great burden for those affected - physically and mentally. Symptom relief has so far been difficult. But a new treatment approach gives hope: pure oxygen.

The exact mechanisms behind fibromyalgia are not yet known. One hypothesis suggests that the syndrome is based on an over-sensitization of the central nervous system and incorrect pain processing in the brain. The threshold of pain perception in fibromyalgia patients may be lower than usual. This enables the brain to perceive even light stimuli as pain.

Oxygen treatment in the pressure chamber

There are various therapeutic approaches, from antidepressants to exercise therapies, but the effect is usually limited. New treatments are needed. Efrati Shai from TAU's Sagol School of Neuroscience in Tel Aviv and his colleagues investigated a potential therapeutic approach: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Here, the patient stays in a pressure chamber and inhales pure oxygen. This increases the oxygen concentration in the blood and thus also in the brain, which can influence brain metabolism, initiate vascular repair mechanisms, reduce inflammatory reactions and promote regeneration of the brain, according to the results of older studies.

HBOT could possibly treat the actual cause of fibromyalgia - the disturbed pain processing in the brain, reports Efrati. "That means: normalization of the brain, including neuronal regeneration, is possible - even with chronic pain."

Normalized brain activity

The researchers quickly determined that the therapy was successful: "In 70 percent of the patients, all fibromyalgia symptoms disappeared," reports Efrati. The quality of life and well-being of the patients increased accordingly.

The most important benefit of the therapy is the pain reduction: The pain threshold at the so-called tender points tripled. These are certain points on the body where fibromyalgia patients are typically very sensitive to pressure. In addition, the general pain was drastically reduced or even disappeared completely. "Medicines can alleviate the pain, but they do not change the cause," says Efrati. HBOT, on the other hand, addresses the core of the problem: In fact, HBOT not only eased the pain, but also normalized brain activity.

"This correspondence between the physiological improvements and the change in brain function make the results particularly convincing," said the researchers.

Finally pain-free

A total of 60 women between the ages of 21 and 67 took part in the study. Doctors had diagnosed them with fibromyalgia at least two years earlier. All test subjects had pain on both sides of the whole body (upper and lower body). In addition, they reacted to pressure with pain at at least 11 of 18 tender points. Of the 60 participants, 48 ​​completed the complete program.

They received a dose of pure oxygen in the pressure chamber five times a week for 90 minutes each time for two months.The extent to which oxygen therapy changed brain activity was determined by the researchers using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which graphically shows which brain regions are active and to what extent. Efrati and his colleagues used questionnaires to determine quality of life and psychological stress before and after treatment.

Even if some questions are still open and the researchers still want to optimize the therapy concept, they already consider treating fibromyalgia patients with pure oxygen to be sensible. Those affected could benefit significantly from this and there is currently no more effective treatment.

Women in particular are affected

About three percent of Germans suffer from fibromyalgia, also known as soft tissue rheumatism - over 80 percent of them are female. Those affected usually suffer from pain in different parts of the body, especially around the joints, and are very sensitive to pressure at certain points on the body. But tiredness, exhaustion, concentration and sleep problems are also typical. In addition, there are often psychological problems such as fears or depressive moods. Which symptoms occur and to what extent varies from patient to patient. But this is precisely what makes the diagnosis, which is based on the exclusion principle, difficult. It is often asked late or not at all.

Sources:

Efrati S. et al .: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Diminish Fibromyalgia Syndrome - Prospective Clinical Trial. PLOS One. DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0127012

Press release from Tel Aviv University of July 14, 2015

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