Chronic Pain · Fibromyalgia · HBOT Research · 8 Min Read
HBOT for Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Research
Chronic pain is rarely just about one damaged structure. In conditions such as fibromyalgia, pain can sit alongside fatigue, disrupted sleep, cognitive symptoms, tenderness and changes in how pain is processed.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has become an interesting area of research because repeated hyperbaric oxygen exposure may influence several of the biological processes involved.
And unlike some emerging areas of HBOT research, fibromyalgia now has a growing body of controlled human studies behind it.
See What the Research Shows ↓Beyond a Local Pain Problem
Why Is HBOT Being Studied for Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread pain, but the condition can affect far more than muscles and joints.
Fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties and heightened pain sensitivity can all form part of the experience.
That has led researchers to investigate fibromyalgia as a condition involving pain processing and nervous-system function, rather than treating it simply as a local muscle problem.
HBOT is relevant to this research because increasing atmospheric pressure increases the amount of oxygen dissolved directly in blood plasma.
Why Researchers Are Interested
Increased Pressure + Oxygen
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Increased Dissolved Plasma Oxygen
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Greater Oxygen Availability
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Potential Effects on Cellular Energy, Brain Function & Pain-Related Processes
The Science
What Might HBOT Be Influencing?
The science behind HBOT and chronic pain is not about one single mechanism.
Researchers are interested in several overlapping processes that may help explain why HBOT has produced changes across different fibromyalgia outcomes.
Pain Processing
Fibromyalgia involves altered pain sensitivity and central pain processing. Researchers have investigated whether HBOT may influence activity in brain regions involved in pain.
Cellular Energy
Oxygen is fundamental to aerobic energy production. Changes in oxygen availability and metabolism are therefore of interest where fatigue and reduced energy are prominent.
Inflammatory Signalling
Hyperbaric oxygen can influence biological signalling involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue responses.
Brain Function
Some fibromyalgia studies have examined changes in brain activity alongside changes in symptoms, adding a neurological dimension to the research.
These mechanisms provide the scientific rationale. The more useful question is whether those ideas have translated into measurable changes in people with fibromyalgia.
The Human Evidence
What Has Actually Been Found in Fibromyalgia Studies?
Fibromyalgia is now one of the better-studied chronic pain conditions within HBOT research.
Multiple controlled trials have been conducted, and several systematic reviews have now brought those findings together.
2023 Meta-Analysis · 4 RCTs · 163 Participants
Fibromyalgia Impact & Tender Points Improved
A 2023 meta-analysis focused specifically on randomised controlled trials of HBOT for fibromyalgia.
Four RCTs involving 163 participants were included.
The pooled analysis found significant improvements in both the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and tender-point count.
The pooled pain result itself did not reach statistical significance, illustrating that different fibromyalgia outcomes have not always moved in exactly the same way across trials.
View the meta-analysis on PubMed →2023 Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis · 9 Studies · 288 Participants
Benefits Reported Across Pain, Fatigue, Function & Sleep
A second 2023 systematic review took a broader look at the clinical evidence and included nine studies involving 288 people with fibromyalgia.
In this analysis, pooled pain measures showed a significant improvement compared with control interventions.
Most of the included studies also reported improvements across several other areas relevant to everyday life with fibromyalgia:
The review also recorded adverse effects in some participants. These were described as reversible, and no serious adverse events or complications were reported in the included studies.
View the systematic review on PubMed →The fibromyalgia research is interesting because studies are looking beyond pain alone — at fatigue, function, sleep, tenderness and the wider impact of the condition.
The Latest Evidence
What Does the 2026 Review Add?
A 2026 systematic review widened the lens beyond fibromyalgia and looked at randomised controlled trials of HBOT across chronic pain syndromes.
It included 11 RCTs involving 480 participants. Eight of those trials investigated fibromyalgia, with additional research involving complex regional pain syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia and radiation-induced brachial neuropathy.
In fibromyalgia, the reviewers found consistent within-group improvements in pain, functioning and quality of life, with some studies also showing benefits when compared directly with control groups.
The authors concluded that HBOT shows potential for selected chronic pain syndromes, particularly fibromyalgia.
At the same time, the review identified differences in study quality, protocols and long-term follow-up. Those are important questions for future research because we still need better answers around which protocols work best and how long improvements may persist.
In Practice
Chronic Pain Is Rarely One-Dimensional
Anyone living with chronic pain knows that a pain score only tells part of the story.
Pain can affect sleep. Poor sleep can affect energy. Fatigue can reduce movement and activity. Reduced function can affect work, exercise and everyday life.
This is particularly relevant in fibromyalgia, where pain, fatigue, cognitive symptoms, sleep and function can overlap.
That is also why the broader outcomes in the HBOT research matter. The question is not only whether pain changes, but whether a person's wider symptom burden and ability to function may change too.
Considering HBOT
Where Could HBOT Fit Into a Chronic Pain Plan?
People exploring HBOT for chronic pain often already have a long history of trying to manage their symptoms.
Medication, physiotherapy, movement, pacing, sleep strategies and other forms of support may already form part of that picture.
HBOT can be explored within that wider plan rather than assuming there is one approach that suits everyone.
Your Symptom Pattern
Is pain the main issue, or are fatigue, sleep disruption, cognitive symptoms and reduced function also significant?
Your Health History
Chronic pain can have many causes and often comes with a complex health history, making appropriate screening important.
Your Current Support
HBOT may sit alongside medication, physiotherapy, movement, sleep strategies and the care already in place.
Regular Access
Many fibromyalgia studies have involved repeated sessions, so the practicality of clinic visits versus home access can matter.
If you want to explore HBOT, the next step is deciding what level of access is realistic for you.
HBOT Access in Ireland
Try HBOT in Clinic. Rent at Home. Or Explore Ownership.
ReWell offers different ways to access HBOT depending on how frequently you want to use it and what works around your symptoms, energy and everyday life.
Try
Experience HBOT in Clinic
If you have never tried HBOT before, start with an introductory session at ReWell in Naas, Co. Kildare and experience the process for yourself.
60 minute session €85 incl. VAT
Book an HBOT Session →Rent
Regular HBOT at Home
For people considering repeated HBOT, home rental removes the need to travel for every session and can make regular access easier to fit around fatigue, pain and daily life.
From €1,229/month incl. VAT
Explore Home HBOT Rental →Own
Long-Term HBOT Access
For people who want ongoing access, ReWell supplies a range of soft-shell and hard-shell hyperbaric chambers for home use.
From €9,999 excl. VAT
Explore HBOT Chambers →
Home rental gives ReWell clients regular access to HBOT without travelling to the clinic for every session.
Guidance Matters
Your HBOT Programme, Guided by Davitt Meenaghan
ReWell's HBOT programmes are guided by Davitt Meenaghan, IBUM-certified Hyperbaric Safety Officer.
“With chronic pain, the pain itself is only part of the picture. We want to understand how it is affecting your energy, sleep, movement and everyday life — and what you want to get back to doing.”
Davitt helps clients understand screening, chamber choice, pressure, frequency, safe operation and the practical side of building HBOT into everyday life.
If repeated access is being considered, he can also talk you through whether starting in clinic or having a chamber at home makes more sense for your circumstances.
Talk to Davitt — Book a Free Discovery Call →Common Questions
HBOT, Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain FAQs
Has HBOT been studied for fibromyalgia?
Yes. Fibromyalgia is one of the more extensively studied chronic pain conditions within HBOT research. A 2026 systematic review identified eight fibromyalgia RCTs within 11 randomised trials of HBOT for chronic pain syndromes.
What does the research show?
Systematic reviews have reported improvements across outcomes including fibromyalgia impact, tender points, pain, fatigue, function, sleep and quality of life. Results vary between studies and outcomes, but the growing number of controlled trials makes fibromyalgia a meaningful area of HBOT research.
Does HBOT reduce fibromyalgia pain?
Research findings are not identical across every analysis. One 2023 RCT-only meta-analysis found significant improvements in fibromyalgia impact and tender-point counts but not a statistically significant pooled effect on pain. A separate 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant improvement in pooled pain measures.
What other fibromyalgia symptoms have been studied?
Research has examined more than pain alone. Studies and reviews have reported changes in fatigue, sleep disturbance, function, quality of life, tenderness and patient-global measures.
How many HBOT sessions are used for fibromyalgia?
Research protocols vary, and there is not yet one universally established HBOT programme for fibromyalgia. Pressure, session duration, total number of sessions and frequency have differed between studies, which is one of the areas future research still needs to clarify.
Can I try HBOT before renting a chamber?
Yes. New clients can start with an introductory HBOT session at ReWell in Naas and Dublin clinics for €85 incl. VAT before deciding whether more regular access is right for them.
Can I rent a hyperbaric chamber at home?
Yes. ReWell provides home hyperbaric chamber rental across all 32 counties from €1,229 per month. For people managing chronic pain or fatigue, home access can make repeated sessions considerably easier than travelling to a clinic each time.
The Bottom Line
Fibromyalgia Is One of the More Interesting Areas of Chronic Pain HBOT Research
Fibromyalgia is complex. Pain is important, but it exists alongside changes in fatigue, sleep, cognition, tenderness and everyday function for many people.
That complexity is reflected in the HBOT research.
Rather than looking at pain alone, controlled studies and systematic reviews have examined fibromyalgia impact, tender points, fatigue, function, sleep, quality of life and pain itself.
The results are not identical across every study, but there is now a meaningful body of human clinical research — and the 2026 review found the strongest potential within chronic pain research was particularly in fibromyalgia.
If chronic pain affects more than one part of your life, it makes sense to look at recovery through a wider lens too.
Explore Your Options
Considering HBOT for Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia?
Explore the research, learn more about ReWell's approach to chronic pain and fibromyalgia, or speak with Davitt about whether clinic or home HBOT could suit your circumstances.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Chronic pain can have many causes and should be appropriately assessed. HBOT may not be suitable for everyone. Screening and individual suitability matter before beginning hyperbaric oxygen therapy.