Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Objectives: Complex regional pain syndrome remains a challenging condition characterized by severe, persistent pain and a variety of inflammatory and trophic symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the current literature to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)’s efficacy in treating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), focusing on both sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) and sympathetically independent pain (SIP) subtypes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed Clinical Queries using the MeSH term “Complex Regional Pain Syndromes” OR the keyword “CRPS” AND “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy” OR the keyword “HBOT.” The selected publication types included a randomized controlled trial, a retrospective observational study, a comparative study, a retrospective case series, and case reports. The search was restricted to articles published in English between January 1994 and October 2024. The results from the search were used to compile this review. Patients were categorized into SMP, SIP, or indeterminate groups based on the presence of prior sympathetic nerve block history or disease duration. Results: Thirteen studies involving 280 participants were reviewed. Of the patients, 42.5% were categorized as SMP, 48.2% as SIP, and 9.3% as indeterminate. HBOT treatment ranged from 3 to 63 sessions, typically using 2.4 atmospheres absolute for 90 minutes. The results indicated significant symptom relief and functional improvement across both SMP and SIP subtypes, suggesting the broad efficacy of HBOT for CRPS management. Discussion: This review of the current literature suggests that HBOT may offer significant symptom relief, regardless of CRPS subtype or disease duration. HBOT’s anti-inflammatory and neuroplasticity promoting properties make it a valuable noninvasive option for CRPS patients, potentially improving outcomes when combined with other therapeutic modalities. Further research is necessary to refine patient selection and optimize treatment protocols.