Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can induce neuroplasticity and significant clinical improvement in patients suffering from fibromyalgia with a history of childhood sexual abuse – randomized controlled trial

Amir Hadanny, Yair Bechor, Merav Catalogna, Shir Daphna-Tekoah, Sigal Tal, Mherzad Cohenpour, Rachel Lev-Wiesel, Shai Efrati. 

Frontiers in Psychology. 

Abstract

1. Abstract
1.1 Background
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition considered to represent a prototype of central sensitization syndrome, can be induced
by different triggers including childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Recent studies have demonstrated hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
can induce neuroplasticity and improve clinical outcome of FMS. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of HBOT on
patients suffering from FMS due to CSA.

1.2 Materials and methods
A prospective randomized clinical trial conducted between July 2015 and November 2017 included women with a history of CSA who
fulfilled fibromyalgia diagnosis criteria for at least five years prior to inclusion. Included participants (N=30) were randomly
assigned to treatment group, treated with 60 HBOT sessions and a control/crossover group received psychotherapy. After the
control period, the control/crossover group was crossed to HBOT. Clinical outcome included FMS, PTSD and quality of life
questioners and brain function and structure imaging.

1.3 Findings
Following HBOT, there was a significant improvement in all FMS questionnaires (WPI, SSS, FIQ), most domains of quality of life
(SF-36) and PTSD questionnaires (BSI, PSS). The same significant improvements were demonstrated in the control following
crossover to HBOT. Following HBOT, brain SPECT imaging demonstrated significant increase in brain activity in the prefrontal
cortex, orbital frontal cortex and subgenual area (p<0.05). Brain microstructure improvement was seen by MRI-DTI in the
anterior thalamic radiation (p=0.0001), left Insula (p=0.001) and the right Thalamus (p=0.001).

1.4 Conclusion
HBOT induced significant clinical improvement that correlates with improved brain functionality and brain microstructure in CSA
related FMS patients.