Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sickle Cell Pain

Description

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells are abnormally shaped, crescent- or sickle-shaped, instead of the normal, round shape. This misshapen cell is rigid and sticky, causing them to clump together and block small blood vessels. This blockage can lead to pain, infections, and organ damage, and the shortened lifespan of sickle cells causes anemia. The purpose of this study is to explore if hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy would decrease pain and hospital length of stay associated with acute sickle cell pain crisis. Adults presenting with an uncomplicated acute pain crisis (i.e., acute chest syndrome, acute myocardial infarction/stroke) would be eligible. The intervention would be 1-3 hyperbaric oxygen sessions depending on response to therapy. Each treatment session will be approximately two hours in length. Evaluation would be through participants' self--assessment via the visual analog scale for pain level before and after treatments as well as tracking length of stay in the hospital.

Conditions

Vaso-occlusive Crisis, Sickle Cell Anemia Crisis

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder where red blood cells are abnormally shaped, crescent- or sickle-shaped, instead of the normal, round shape. This misshapen cell is rigid and sticky, causing them to clump together and block small blood vessels. This blockage can lead to pain, infections, and organ damage, and the shortened lifespan of sickle cells causes anemia. The purpose of this study is to explore if hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy would decrease pain and hospital length of stay associated with acute sickle cell pain crisis. Adults presenting with an uncomplicated acute pain crisis (i.e., acute chest syndrome, acute myocardial infarction/stroke) would be eligible. The intervention would be 1-3 hyperbaric oxygen sessions depending on response to therapy. Each treatment session will be approximately two hours in length. Evaluation would be through participants' self--assessment via the visual analog scale for pain level before and after treatments as well as tracking length of stay in the hospital.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sickle Cell Pain

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Sickle Cell Pain

Condition
Vaso-occlusive Crisis
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Omaha

Unversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68198

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * 19 years old or older
  • * Present with an uncomplicated sickle cell crisis at admission friom the emergency department
  • * \< 19 years old
  • * pregnant female
  • * complicated sickle cell crisis present (i.e., concomitant MI, stroke, acute chest syndrome at time of presentation)

Ages Eligible for Study

19 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Nebraska,

Jeff S Cooper, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Nebraska

Study Record Dates

2025-06