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.
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 19 years old or older
* Present with an uncomplicated sickle cell crisis at admission friom the emergency department
Exclusion Criteria:
* \< 19 years old
* pregnant female
* complicated sickle cell crisis present (i.e., concomitant MI, stroke, acute chest syndrome at time of presentation)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial looked at whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy could reduce the amount of opioid pain medication — measured in morphine milligram equivalents — needed during a vaso-occlusive crisis, so can you walk me through what the results actually showed and whether the reduction, if any, was meaningful enough to matter for someone in my situation?
2Since this trial has been completed, has the data been published anywhere, and do you think the findings are strong enough to consider hyperbaric oxygen as a real option alongside standard pain management for sickle cell crises?
3Hyperbaric oxygen requires being inside a pressurized chamber during a crisis when I'd already be in a lot of pain — how realistic or practical would that actually be for me, and are there hospitals near us that even have that capability?
4This trial was listed as 'Phase NA,' which suggests it may have been more of a feasibility or pilot study rather than a large definitive trial — does that affect how confident you are in the results, and would you want to see bigger studies before recommending it?
5If hyperbaric oxygen therapy showed some benefit in reducing opioid use during crises, how does that compare to other pain management strategies or treatments you'd consider for me first, like hydroxyurea or other standard-of-care approaches?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Analgesic Received in MME (Morphine Milligram Equivalents)