Evaluating the Efficacy of Barley Water in Alleviating Radiotherapy-Induced Dysuria in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy is an essential treatment for various cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa), but it can lead to several adverse events, such as dysuria. While there is no gold standard treatment for this condition, some options, including herbal preparations, are suggested in traditional medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of barley water compared to placebo in patients with PCa.

METHODS

This randomized placebo-controlled study compared an oral barley water decoction to a placebo after adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with PCa at a clinic in Tehran, Iran. Patients received a daily decoction of barley water or placebo for 1 week and were followed for 8 weeks. Patients, physicians, outcome assessors, and statisticians were blinded to the assigned treatment. The primary outcome was radiotherapy-induced dysuria, measured using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Secondary outcomes included quality of life, analgesics use, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 90 PCa patients were randomized to barley water (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45). Analyses showed no significant differences in dysuria, quality of life, or analgesic use between the groups. Adverse events were similar for both groups; however, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the barley water group (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Barley water showed no clinical benefit over placebo in managing radiotherapy-induced dysuria in PCa patients. This finding underscores the importance of rigorous clinical evaluation of herbal remedies and highlights the need for evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and enhance quality of life.