The efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression as a substitute for manual lymphatic drainage in complete decongestive therapy in the treatment of breast cancer related lymphedema.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) as a substitute for manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in complete decongestive therapy (CDT) for treatment of advanced stages of breast cancer-related lymphedema. In this randomized, single-blind, controlled study, 46 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema were divided into 2 groups. Both MLD with compression bandage (CB) group (n=24) and IPC with CB group (n=22) received treatment 3 days a week for 5 weeks. Home exercise program was also given to all patients. At the end of the 5th week, patients were treated with a daily 23-hour compression garment and home exercise routines. Assessments were taken at baseline, the fifth week, and the third month. Arm circumference was measured at 5 different areas, shoulder range of motion (ROM) was evaluated with a goniometer, pain, and tightness, and heaviness sensations were assessed with visual analog scale. Both groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristics (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between groups and both groups showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in the five measurement levels of the arm circumference at the fifth week and third month. Similarly, shoulder ROM, pain, tightness, and heaviness sensations improved in both groups (p<0.05). Both MLD and IPC as a component of CDT were found successful at 5 weeks and 3 months without superiority to each other.

Efficacy of kinesio taping in early stage breast cancer associated lymphedema: A randomized single blinded study.

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping compared to compression garment in treatment of early stage breast cancer-associated lymphedema (BCAL). Patients between 18-70-years old who had unilateral stage 1 BCAL were randomized into group I kinesio taping (KT) and group II compression garment (CG) for this single blinded study. KT was applied with a lymphatic correction technique in three-four day intervals for four weeks. At the end of the fourth week, patients were suggested to wear CGs. Patients in group II were treated daily for 23-hours in CGs. Education, preventive measures, and exercises were given to both groups. All patients were evaluated before the treatment (T0), immediate post treatment (T1), and three months after treatment (T2). Circumference differences were measured between the extremities with a nonelastic tape at five levels. Additionally, shoulder range of motion (ROM) was measured, and pain, heaviness, and sensation of tightness were evaluated with a visual analog scale (VAS). Thirty-five patients with stage 1 BCAL were included and randomized to the KT (n= 16) and CG (n= 19) groups. Demographic data and baseline clinical characteristics were similar. Both groups had reductions in all levels of arm circumference differences at immediate post-treatment and three months after treatment. Pain, tightness, and heaviness scores significantly decreased for both groups at immediate post-treatment and third month. Patients in the KT group had significantly lower pain sores than patients in the CG group. Results demonstrated that both modalities had similar effects in the treatment of early stage BCAL. For patients with early stage BCAL, KT can be an alternative treatment to CG for patients who have difficulties in obtaining and wearing CGs.