What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating radiation-induced xerostomia and its impact on quality of life.
What They Found
Seven studies, comprising 246 patients, were included in the review, with 6 of 7 being prospective. The findings suggest that HBOT may be useful for radiation-induced xerostomia refractory to other therapies. Additionally, HBOT may induce long-term improvement in subjective assessments of xerostomia, unlike other currently available short-term relief therapies.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing radiation-induced xerostomia that has not responded to conventional treatments might potentially find relief with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This therapy could offer a long-term solution for improving their subjective experience of dry mouth.
Canadian Relevance
This systematic review does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The strength of these conclusions is limited by the lack of randomized controlled clinical trials among the included studies.