Clinical Trials at DDRC

As our mechanistic understanding of the modes of action of hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves, new potential applications for the therapy will emerge. We at DDRC are committed to performing clinical trials as part of our research portfolio in order to determine which clinical conditions are likely to benefit from this mode of treatment.

We are currently one of four treatment centres conducting a multicentre trial into the effect of HBO on arm lymphoedema, a condition of severe and often debilitating swelling developed by some women after radiotherapy for breast cancer. This trial is being lead by the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, world renowned for its cancer research. The trial has been running since 2005 and recruitment is now closed. Patient treatment and follow up will continue until December 2008, after which results will be analysed and disseminated in the medical press.

Pilot studies conducted at DDRC in the past include the use of HBO for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Results of this study are currently being analysed.

Further clinical trials are being developed.