What Researchers Did
Researchers tested whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduces long-term pain, swelling, scarring, or movement problems in women who had radiation therapy for breast cancer.
What They Found
This was a pragmatic randomized clinical trial nested within a Dutch cohort study in which 125 women with moderate or severe breast, chest wall, or shoulder pain plus edema, fibrosis, or movement restriction at least 12 months after breast radiation were offered 30 to 40 HBOT sessions over 6 to 8 weeks, compared with 61 women randomized to a control arm not offered HBOT (189 women total). Only 31 of the 125 women offered HBOT (25 percent) actually accepted and completed treatment, most often declining because the schedule was too intense. In the intention-to-treat analysis, which counted everyone offered HBOT regardless of whether they completed it, moderate or severe pain at 6 months was not significantly reduced (odds ratio 0.63, p equals 0.18), but fibrosis was significantly reduced (odds ratio 0.36). In the analysis limited to women who actually completed treatment, both pain and fibrosis improved.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For women with lasting pain, swelling, or tissue changes after breast radiation, this trial suggests HBOT may reduce fibrosis, and among patients who complete a full course, may also ease pain. However, three out of four women offered the treatment did not complete it because of how demanding the schedule was, which is an important practical limitation for anyone considering it.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified; the trial was conducted in the Netherlands within the UMBRELLA cohort.
Study Limitations
Only 25 percent of women offered HBOT completed it, so the more favorable pain result seen in completers may reflect who was able and willing to finish treatment rather than the effect of HBOT alone.