Manual lymphatic drainage therapy in patients with breast cancer related lymphoedema
TL;DR: The results of this study will provide information on the effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and its impact on the quality of life and physical limitations of these patients, as well as the improvement of the concomitant symptomatology.
Abstract: Background
Lymphoedema is a common and troublesome condition that develops following breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in the treatment of postmastectomy lymphoedema in order to reduce the volume of lymphoedema and evaluate the improvement of the concomitant symptomatology.
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TL;DR: In this article , a case report of a breast cancer survivor who had been suffering from persistent left upper-limb edema for over 15 years, who was effectively treated with a combination of conventional rehabilitation (seven-step decongestion therapy) and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, along with core and respiratory function training, as well as functional brace wearing.
Abstract: Objective To underscore the paramount significance of incorporating comprehensive rehabilitation therapy as a crucial aspect of managing lymphedema caused by breast cancer surgery, and to illuminate our first-hand experience and insights gained in utilizing this approach. Methods We present a case report of a breast cancer survivor who had been suffering from persistent left upper-limb edema for over 15 years, who was effectively treated with a combination of conventional rehabilitation (seven-step decongestion therapy) and a comprehensive rehabilitation program (seven-step decongestion therapy, along with core and respiratory function training, as well as functional brace wearing). The efficacy of the rehabilitation therapy was evaluated through a comprehensive assessment Results Although the patient underwent the conventional rehabilitation program for one month, only limited improvement was observed. However, after an additional month of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the patient exhibited significant improvement in both lymphedema and the overall function of the left upper limb. The patient’s progress was quantified by measuring the reduction in arm circumference, which demonstrated a notable decrease. Furthermore, improvements in joint range of motion were observed, with forward flexion of the shoulder enhancing by 10°, forward flexion improving by 15°, and elbow flexion increasing by 10°. In addition, manual muscular strength tests revealed an increase in strength from Grade 4 to Grade 5. The patient’s quality of life was also significantly improved, as evidenced by the increase in the Activities of Daily Living score from 95 to 100 points, the increase in the the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: Breast score from 53 to 79 points, and the decrease in the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale score from 24 to 17 points. Conclusion While seven-step decongestion therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing upper-limb lymphedema caused by breast cancer surgery, it has limitations in treating more chronic cases of the condition. However, when combined with core and respiratory function training and functional brace wearing, seven-step decongestion therapy has been shown to be even more effective in reducing lymphedema and improving limb function, ultimately leading to significant improvements in quality of life.
10 Jun 2019
TL;DR: Manual lymphatic drainage is superior to pneumatic compression pump in the treatment of cellulite in females post liposuction, and there was a significant decrease in severity of cellulites in manual lymphatics drainage group when compared with pnematic compression group.
Abstract: Background: The presence of cellulite is an aesthetically unacceptable cosmetic problem for most post-adolescent women that can appear post liposuction, it is characterized by dimpled or puckered skin. Manual lymphatic drainage and pneumatic compression pump may be effective in improving cellulite after liposuction.Aim of Study: This study is conducted to compare the effect of manual lymphatic and pneumatic compression pump on cellulite in females post liposuction.Subjects and Methods: Thirty female patients with cellulite grade 3 post liposuction at their thighs participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 25 to 45 years. They were selected from the outpatient clinic of Plastic Surgery Depart-ment at Cairo University Hospitals and were divided into two equal groups, each group consisted of 15 patients. Group (A) received manual lymphatic drainage and walking on treadmill three times per week for 8 weeks. Group (B) received pneu-matic compression pump and walking on treadmill three times per week for 8 weeks. Methods of evaluation are cellulite grading scale and thigh circumference.Results: There was a significant decrease in severity of cellulite in manual lymphatic drainage group when compared with pneumatic compression group.Conclusion: Manual lymphatic drainage is superior to pneumatic compression pump in the treatment of cellulite.
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: A pesar de ser una condicion “incurable”, existen diversos medios por los cuales podemos reducir tanto los sintomas fisicos producidos como aquellos psicosociales as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: El linfedema de miembro superior puede ser consecuencia de varios procesos, pero el linfedema secundario al cancer de mama es la causa mas frecuente en nuestra sociedad. La epidemiologia de esta complicacion es relativamente alta y sera fundamental una vigilancia y cuidados postoperatorios. Sin embargo, se trata de una situacion de caracter cronico e irreversible. Mi objetivo en este trabajo sera ofrecer una vision global del linfedema, mencionando todos los procesos diagnosticos existentes y novedosos y tambien todos los tratamientos y su evidencia. Ademas, nos centraremos en el apartado de fisioterapia y todo lo que se ha descrito en la literatura sobre el tratamiento del linfedema. La terapia fisica compleja se considera el tratamiento de eleccion, pero cada vez se estan estudiando mas tecnicas que pueden ser coadyuvantes. Hablaremos de terapias modernas y antiguas y su evidencia. Tambien hablaremos de lo importante que es la educacion del paciente y las medidas de prevencion. A pesar de ser una condicion “incurable”, existen diversos medios por los cuales podemos reducir tanto los sintomas fisicos producidos como aquellos psicosociales. Ademas, con este trabajo se quiere hacer una mencion acerca de la importancia de la fisioterapia en este ambito y la necesidad de estudios que avalen la evidencia de varios tratamientos.
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TL;DR: Chronic oedema arising for reasons other than cancer treatment is much more prevalent than generally perceived, yet resources for treatment are mainly cancer-based, leading to inequalities of care.
Abstract: Summary Background: Lymphoedema/chronic oedema is an important cause of morbidity in the population, but little is known of its epidemiology and impact on patients or health services. Aim: To determine the magnitude of the problem of chronic oedema in the community, and the likely impact of oedema on use of health resources, employment and patient’s quality of life.
499 citations
"Manual lymphatic drainage therapy i..." refers background in this paper
...Problems associated with lymphoedema include: pain, altered sensations such as discomfort and heaviness, difficulties with physical mobility, physiological distress, recurrent infections and social isolation [3,4]....
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TL;DR: Treatment for breast cancer is associated with considerable arm morbidity, which has a negative impact on QOL, andArm morbidity should be carefully monitored in future studies involving local treatment modalities for Breast cancer.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of and contributing factors for chronic arm morbidity including lymphedema in breast cancer patients after treatment and to assess the impact of arm morbidity on quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A four-question screening questionnaire was developed and mailed to a random sample of 744 breast cancer patients treated curatively in two cancer centers from 1993 to 1997. Patients were without recurrence and at least 2 years from diagnosis. Respondents were classified as with or without arm-related symptoms on the basis of the survey. Stratified random samples from each group were then invited for a detailed assessment of their symptoms and signs, including the presence of lymphedema. Their QOL was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire C-30 and by a detailed arm problem questionnaire that assessed various aspects of daily arm functioning. RESULTS: Approximately half of all screened patients were symptomatic a...
344 citations
"Manual lymphatic drainage therapy i..." refers background in this paper
...In a study in which 744 patients with breast cancer were assessed with these quality of life scales, some imbalances regarding the quality of life in those patients with lymphoedema were found [ 8 ]....
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TL;DR: HRQOL was lower for BrCa survivors with diagnosed lymphedema and for those with arm symptoms without diagnosed lyMPhedema in the IWHS, according to a dose-response relation between number of arm symptoms and lower HRQOL.
Abstract: Purpose The impact of lymphedema or related arm symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in breast cancer (BrCa) survivors has not been examined using a large population-based cohort. Patients and Methods The Iowa Women’s Health Study (IWHS) collected self-report data for lymphedema, arm symptoms, and HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36) in 2004 and data for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and behavioral and health characteristics between 1986 and 2003. We studied 1,287 women, age 55 to 69 years at baseline, who developed unilateral BrCa. We used cross-sectional analyses to describe the prevalence of lymphedema and arm symptoms and multivariate-adjusted generalized linear models to compare HRQOL (physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, physical and emotional role limitations, vitality, social functioning, and mental health) between the following three survivor groups: women with lymphedema (n 104), women with arm symptoms without diagnosed lymphedema (n 475), and women without lymphedema or arm symptoms (n 708).
343 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that CB on its own should be considered as a primary treatment option in reducing arm lymphedema volume, as well as manual lymph drainage massage in combination with multi-layered compression bandaging.
Abstract: Purpose. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the reduction in arm lymphedema volume achieved from manual lymph drainage massage (MLD) in combination with multi-layered compression bandaging (CB) to that achieved by CB alone.
235 citations
"Manual lymphatic drainage therapy i..." refers background in this paper
...On the other hand, the fact that CPT implies several techniques (manual lymph drainage, skin care and multilayer compression bandaging followed by a compression garment to reduce oedema and therapeutic exercises) makes it difficult to recognize which of them is the truly effective one in the treatment of lymphoedema [ 12-14 ]....
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TL;DR: The study showed that both groups obtained a significant reduction in edema and that MLD did not contribute significantly to reduce edema volume.
Abstract: A prospective randomized study was carried out to investigate whether the addition of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) to the standard therapy could improve treatment outcome in women with lymphedema of the ipsilateral arm after breast cancer treatment. Forty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive standard therapy or standard therapy plus MLD 8 times in 2 weeks and training in self-massage. The standard therapy consisted of use of a compression garment, exercises and information about lymphedema and skin care. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by reduction in lymphedema volume during treatment and by improvement in symptoms potentially related to lymphedema. The patients were followed-up for a total of 12 months. The study showed that both groups obtained a significant reduction in edema and that MLD did not contribute significantly to reduce edema volume.
220 citations