Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on patients with herpes zoster.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on patients with herpes zoster. METHODS: A total of 68 cases with herpes zoster were randomly divided into HBO2 and control groups. The patients in the control group were treated with drugs, while the patients in the HBO2 group were treated with both drugs and HBO2. Parameters of therapeutic efficacy including period of blister resolution, scar formation time and percentage of patients developing post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) were determined for the patients in both groups. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) were also scored for the patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: The therapeutic efficacy in the control group was 81.25%, which was significantly lower than that (97.22%) in the HBO2 group (p < 0.05). The percentage of patients developing PHN, scar formation time and NPRS score in the HBO2 groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). HAMD score in the HBO2 group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HBO2 can significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy, relieve pain, accelerate herpes blister healing and lesion resolution, reduce the percentage of patients developing PHN and improve depression in patients with herpes zoster.