title: The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a chronic disease with social components that ensue secondary to the incapacity of the person to fulfill work, social and family responsibilities. Currently, there is no consensus regarding its treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in CFS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients included in the study were diagnosed with CFS according to the Fukuda criteria. Patients received 15 treatment sessions of HBO2 therapy over a period of three consecutive weeks (five days per week). The outcome measures (visual analog fatigue scale (VAFS). Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Fatigue Quality of Life Score (FQLS) were assessed before the treatment and after completion of the 15 sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBO2 therapy was well tolerated, with no complications. After treatment, patients' scores were found to have improved with respect to VAFS, FSS and FQLS (all p<0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We ,may infer that HBO2 therapy decreases the severity of symptoms and increases the life quality of CFS patients. It may be a new treatment modality for the management of CFS. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and control groups are definitely awaited.
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul, Turkey. selimakarsu@yahoo.com.tr
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akarsu
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ay
authors.forename: Alparslan Bayram
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tok
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simşek
authors.forename: Mehmet Zeki
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Kiralp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome