Complex decongestive therapy improves finger tapping score in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) impairs upper limb function and cognitive performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fifteen sessions of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on fine motor performance and information processing speed in women with BCRL. METHODS: Thirty-eight women with BCRL (54.97 ± 10.78 years) were recruited in the study. Participants either received five times weekly CDT consisting of manual lymphatic drainage, skin care, compression bandaging, and remedial exercises (n = 19) or served as a wait-list control group (n = 19). We used the Finger Tapping Task to assess fine motor performance and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test to assess information processing speed. ANCOVA was performed to analyze the effect of CDT on the dependent variables, adjusting for covariates and baseline values. RESULTS: CDT significantly improved finger tapping score (p < 0.001) compared to the wait-list to the control group, whereas information processing speed did not significantly change (p = 0.673). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that CDT is an effective conservative therapeutic approach to improve upper extremity fine motor function in women with BCRL. Future studies are needed to investigate the effect of CDT on different cognitive domains.

A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of complete decongestive therapy in the treatment of unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema with and without metabolic syndrome.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the limb volume and quality of life (QoL) of patients who underwent complex decongestive therapy (CDT) due to unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). METHODS: Forty female patients with unilateral BCRL, of whom 20 had MetS (MetS group) and 20 did not have MetS (control group), were included in the study. The participants received CDT 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The participants' limb volume (percentage of excess volume (PEV) and percentage reduction of excess volume (PREV) was determined using a tape measure, and their QoL was assessed using the Lymphedema Quality of Life questionnaire (LYMQoL) before and after treatment. RESULTS: After the treatment, the PEV and PREV values and LYMQoL-symptoms scores of the patients improved (p < 0.05); however, the LYMQoL-function, appearance/body image, mood/emotions, and overall QoL scores did not change in the MetS group (p > 0.05). In the control group, the PEV and PREV values and the LYMQoL-appearance/body image, mood/emotions, and overall QoL scores improved (p < 0.05), but the LYMQoL-symptoms and LYMQoL-function scores did not change (p > 0.05). There was a greater increase in the post-treatment PEV and PREV values of the control group compared to the MetS group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study yielded that CDT was an effective treatment in BCRL with and without MetS; however, the improvement was greater in BCRL cases without MetS than in those with MetS. Therefore, the presence of MetS should be taken into account in the treatment of lymphedema in patients who develop BCRL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05426993. Registered 2022-06-16. https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=NCT05426993.

The effect of combined hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, methylsulfonylmethane, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate supplementation on knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combined hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine sulfate (GS), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) supplement on knee pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients and methods: This multicenter, observational, noninterventional study included 98 patients (78 females, 20 males; mean age: 52.8±6.5 years; range, 40 to 64 years) who had Grade 1-3 knee OA between May 2022 and November 2022. The patients were prescribed the combination of hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, MSM, GS, and CS as a supplement for knee OA. The sachet form of the combined supplement containing 1250 mg hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, 750 mg MSM, 750 mg GS, and 400 mg CS was used once daily for two consecutive months. Patients were evaluated according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-pain, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Patients were scheduled to visit for follow-up four weeks (Visit 2) and eight weeks (Visit 3) after Visit 1 (baseline; day 0 of the study). Results: For the VAS-pain, WOMAC, WOMAC-subscale, and HAQ scores, the differences in improvement between the three visits were significant (p<0.001 for all). The patient compliance with the supplement was a median of 96.77%, both for Visit 2 and Visit 3. Conclusion: The combination of hydrolyzed type 2 collagen, MSM, GS, and CS for eight weeks in knee OA was considered an effective and safe nutritional supplement.

Comparing complex decongestive therapy in patients with lymphedema of different causes by measuring: extremity volume, quality of life, and functionality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) applied to the lower extremities of patients with lymphedema of different causes on the extremity volume, quality of life (QoL), and functionality. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study included 90 patients, of whom 28 had primary lymphedema, 30 had secondary lymphedema, 18 had phlebolymphedema, and 14 had lipolymphedema. A total of 137 extremities were treated with CDT. The patients who received CDT for 5 days a week for 3 weeks (15 sessions in total) were included in the sample. Extremity volume was measured using a tape measure. The lymphedema QoL-Leg Questionnaire was used to evaluate QoL, and the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was administered to assess lower extremity functionality. RESULTS: The changes in QoL before and after treatment significantly differed in the primary lymphedema, phlebolymphedema, and lipolymphedema groups (p < 0.05). The post-treatment LEFS scores indicated a significant decrease in the phlebolymphedema and lipolymphedema groups compared to the pre-treatment scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in appearance, which is one of the sub-parameters of QoL, significantly decreased in the comparisons performed between the groups, whereas the changes in the remaining parameters were not significant.

OBJETIVO: Investigar los efectos de la terapia descongestiva compleja (TDC) aplicada a las extremidades inferiores de pacientes con linfedema de diferentes causas sobre el volumen de la extremidad, la calidad de vida y la funcionalidad. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Se incluyeron en el estudio 90 pacientes, de los cuales 28 tenían linfedema primario, 30 linfedema secundario, 18 flebolinfedema y 14 lipolinfedema. Un total de 137 extremidades fueron tratadas con TDC. Se incluyeron en la muestra pacientes que recibieron TDC durante 5 días a la semana durante 3 semanas (15 sesiones en total). El volumen de las extremidades se midió con una cinta métrica. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de calidad de vida (QoL) de las piernas para el linfedema para evaluar la calidad de vida, y se administró la Escala funcional de las extremidades inferiores (LEFS) para evaluar la funcionalidad de estas. RESULTADOS: Los cambios en la calidad de vida antes y después del tratamiento difirieron significativamente en los grupos de linfedema primario, flebolinfedema y lipolinfedema (p < 0.05). Las puntuaciones LEFS posteriores al tratamiento indicaron una disminución significativa en los grupos de flebolinfedema y lipolinfedema en comparación con las puntuaciones previas al tratamiento (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONES: La diferencia de apariencia, que es uno de los subparámetros de la calidad de vida, disminuyó significativamente en las comparaciones realizadas entre los grupos, mientras que los cambios en los demás parámetros no fueron significativos.

Lower limb lymphedema disrupts both static and dynamic balance.

BACKGROUND: The impact of lower-limb-lymphedema on quality of life of patients regarding balance is unclear due to the scarcity of literature. The aim of this study was to determine the static and dynamic balance of patients with lower-limb-lymphedema in comparison with healthy subjects. METHODS: This case-control designed study included 30 lymphedema patients and 30 healthy individuals, of whom were 52 female and 8 male with a mean age of 50.63 ± 9.72 years. Static balance stability and anterior-posterior with lateral sway parameters on four conditions (eyes-opened-stable-ground, eyes-closed-stable-ground, eyes-opened-unstable-ground, eyes-closed-unstable-ground) and dynamic stability of all participants were evaluated. FINDINGS: The demographic variables were similar between the groups. Majority of the patients had lymphedema due to cancer surgery with a stage of 2. Dynamic stability was significantly disrupted in lymphedema group in comparison with controls (P = 0.049). Static balance parameters were impaired on all conditions except the eyes opened-stable ground in lymphedema patients (P = 0.048,P = 0.043,P = 0.017). The dynamic with static balance and lateral sway parameters were correlated with the duration of lymphedema(P = 0.046,P = 0.002,P = 0.005). Anterior-posterior sway on eyes-closed-unstable-ground condition was correlated with functional status (P = 0.02). Static balance on eyes-opened-unstable-ground condition and anterior-posterior sway parameters were correlated with physical activity level (P = 0.015,P = 0.016,P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: Closing eyes and the deterioration of ground caused significant alteration of the static and dynamic balance both separately and together in patients with lower-limb-lymphedema compared to healthy subjects. Regarding the static and dynamic imbalance, we suggest the evaluation of balance and inclusion of balance exercises in routine lymphedema rehabilitation program, especially in the early period of disease.

Static and Dynamic Imbalance in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) was associated with postural imbalance, but the immature knowledge introduced debate about which component of the balance was affected by BCRL in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the static and dynamic balance of patients with BCRL in comparison with healthy subjects. Methods and Results: This case-control designed study recruited 30 BCRL patients and 30 healthy individuals. The demographic and clinical variables of the subjects were recorded. The static balance stability parameters on four conditions (eyes opened-stable ground, eyes closed-stable ground, eyes opened-unstable ground, eyes closed-unstable ground) and dynamic stability of all participants were evaluated. The values of both stable ground conditions were similar between the groups (p < 0.05). However, values of both eyes opened-unstable ground (p = 0.032) and eyes closed-unstable ground (p = 0.034) conditions were significantly impaired in BCRL in comparison with controls. Besides, comparison of sway area of the opened versus closed eyes conditions on unstable ground (p = 0.036), and movement speed while correcting the center of pressure on unstable ground (with opened and closed eyes, p = 0.014 and p = 0.004 respectively) revealed increased values in the BCRL group. Likewise, the dynamic stability was significantly disrupted in the BCRL group (p = 0.043). Conclusion: Closing eyes did not affect the postural balance in patients with BCRL, whereas the deterioration of ground altered the balance significantly in the BCRL group compared with healthy subjects. We suggest the inclusion of balance exercises and guidance for selection of correct shoes and insoles in routine lymphedema rehabilitation program.

Effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises on scapular function, posture, and balance in lymphedema after mastectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises (SSE) on scapular function, posture, and balance in women with lymphedema after mastectomy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) (n: 12; age: 55.25 ± 8.17 years) and CDP+SSE (n: 13; age: 54.38 ± 9.08 years). While only CDP was applied in the CDP group, CDP and SSE were applied in the CDP+SSE group. Scapulothoracic muscle strength with dynamometer, scapular endurance with Scapular Isometric Compression Test, scapular dyskinesia with Lateral Scapular Slide Test, thoracic posture with inclinometer, general posture with New York Posture Scale, and balance with Mini-BESTest were evaluated before the 3-week treatment phase (TP), after the TP, and after the fifth week of the maintenance phase (MP). Improvements in the lower trapezius muscle strength were found in both groups after the TP (p < .05). In addition, the middle trapezius muscle strength and general posture improved more in the CDP+SSE group than in the CDP group after the TP (p < .05). In the MP, scapulothoracic muscle strength, scapular endurance, and general posture improved more in CDP+SSE group compared to the CDP group (p < .05). In upper extremity lymphedema patients, incorporating additional SSE in CDP may contribute to the improvement of posture and scapular functions.

Evaluation of Sleep Quality, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a serious health condition negatively affecting psychological state, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL) of patients. These complications of BCRL can be overlooked in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate sleep quality, depression, and QOL in patients with different stages of BCRL. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 111 consecutive women patients with BCRL attending to lymphedema unit of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital in Ankara City Hospital. Demographical and clinical data of patients were noted. Sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, day-time sleepiness was assessed with Epworth Sleepiness Scale, depression was assessed with Beck Depression Questionnaire, and QOL was assessed with Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-arm. Results: Median age of patients was 57 (49-63) (25%-75% interquartile range). Nearly 58.8% of the patients had sleep disturbances, and 29.7% of the patients had depression. Presence of both sleep disturbance and depression was associated with increased age. Patients with sleep disturbance were found to be more depressive and vice versa, (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Sleep disturbance, depression and day-time sleepiness, and higher body mass index were all associated with lower QOL scores. Conclusions: Presence of sleep disturbances and depression should be evaluated in every patient with BCRL with special attention to elderly. Rehabilitative management of BCRL should include psychiatric evaluation and interventions. Future studies should intend to assess the risk factors that affect psychological state, sleep quality, and QOL in patients with BCRL.

Does Fear of Movement Affect Fatigue and Quality of Life in Lower Extremity Lymphedema?

Background: The aim of our study was to determine the causes of lower extremity kinesiophobia (whether it is biological or psychological) in individuals with lower limb lymphedema (LLL), and to compare the changes in fatigue and activities of daily living with healthy individuals. Methods: The study included 74 unilateral LLL patients (study group) and 74 individuals (control subjects). Causes of fear of movement were assessed with the Causes of Fear of Movement questionnaire; fatigue, with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Disease Treatment-Fatigue Questionnaire; and quality of life (QoL) with the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire-Leg. Results: One hundred forty-eight participants were included in the study, 74 of whom were in the study group and 74 in the control group. 63.5% of the lymphedema patients had primary lymphedema and 36.5% had secondary lymphedema. Fear of movement total score and QoL scores was higher in LLL group than control group. Total fear of movement score and biological subparameter score of fear of movement, fatigue, and some subparameters of QoL scores were found to be higher in primary LLL patients compared with secondary LLL. Conclusion: Fear of movement is common and QoL is impaired in patients with secondary LLL, more significant in primary LLL.

The results of the intensive phase of complete decongestive therapy and the determination of predictive factors for response to treatment in patients with breast cancer related-lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common complication of breast cancer or its treatment. The gold standard treatment for lymphedema is complete decongestive therapy. There are few studies about the predictive factors for the effectiveness of complete decongestive therapy. AIM: To evaluate the results of the intensive phase of complete decongestive therapy, and to determine the predictive factors for the response to treatment in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (mean age: 56.2 ± 11.2 years) who underwent complete decongestive therapy between 2014 and 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. Extremity volume was calculated using circumferential measurements and the truncated cone formula technique. Response to treatment was evaluated using the percentage reduction of excess volume formula, which was obtained by calculating the extremity volume before and after treatment. The median percentage reduction of excess volume was 27.7% (IQR,13.6-50.3). The history of skin infection was related to lower percentage reduction of excess volume (P = 0.001). Although percentage reduction of excess volume was positively correlated with education level (r = 0.286, P = 0.031), percentage reduction of excess volume was negatively correlated with lymphedema duration (r = -0.361, P = 0.006), postoperative duration (r = -0.314, P = 0.018), percentage of excess volume (r = -0.398, P = 0.002), and number of complete decongestive therapy sessions (r = -0.436, P = 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the independent variables for percentage reduction of excess volume were percentage of excess volume (P = 0.009) and education level (P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Complete decongestive therapy is an effective method in patients with breast cancer related-lymphedema. The most important predictive factors for the efficacy of treatment were found as percentage of excess volume and education level. Patients with breast cancer should be followed up regularly and receive complete decongestive therapy in the early stage of lymphedema.

LIMPRINT Study: The Turkish Experience.

Background: Lymphedema and chronic edema is a major health care problem in both developed and nondeveloped countries The Lymphoedema Impact and Prevelance - International (LIMPRINT) study is an international health service-based study to determine the prevalence and functional impact in adult populations of member countries of the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF). Methods and Results: A total of 1051 patients from eight centers in Turkey were recruited using the LIMPRINT study protocol. Data were collected using the core and module tools that assess the demographic and clinical properties as well as disability and quality of life (QoL). Most of the Turkish patients were recruited from specialist lymphedema services and were found to be women, housewives, and having secondary lymphedema because of cancer treatment. The duration of lymphedema was commonly <5 years and most of them had International Society of Lymphology (ISL) grade 2 lymphedema. Cellulitis, infection, and wounds were uncommon. The majority of patients did not get any treatment or advice before. Most of the patients had impaired QoL and decreased functionality, but psychological support was neglected. Although most had social health security access to lymphedema centers, nevertheless access seemed difficult because of distance and cost. Conclusion: The study has shown the current status and characteristics of lymphedema patients, treatment conditions, the unmet need for the diagnosis and treatment, as well as burden of the disease in both patients and families in Turkey. National health policies are needed for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in Turkey that utilize this informative data.

Complex Decongestive Therapy Enhances Upper Limb Functions in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on upper extremity functions, the severity of pain, and quality of life. We also searched the impact of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics on the improvement in upper extremity functions. METHODS: A total of 37 women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) [age, 53.6 ± 11.2 (28-72)] were included in this study. All patients underwent CDT-phase 1 program, including meticulous skin care, manual lymphatic drainage, remedial exercises, and compression bandages. Arm volume was calculated by a formula for truncated cone using circumferential measurements. A baseline questionnaire, including sociodemographic and clinical properties, was used for each patient. Short Form-36 (SF-36), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and heaviness were used as clinical assessment scales. RESULTS: The mean of the posttreatment volume of the affected limb was lower compared to pretreatment volume (2741.81 ± 696.85 and 2990.67 ± 745.49, respectively), and the mean percentage change in edema volume was 38.1% ± 26.5%. We observed a statistically significant reduction in pain and heaviness VAS scores and improvement of shoulder mobility among upper extremities with lymphedema (p < 0.001) after CDT. The mean of posttreatment DASH score was lower compared to pretreatment score (37.19 ± 16.01, 49.81 ± 18.84, respectively, p < 0.001). All subgroups of the SF-36 parameters were increased after the CDT application (p < 0.01). Besides being under 65 years old, having a body mass index above 30 and short duration of lymphedema were found to be related to greater improvement in upper extremity functions. CONCLUSIONS: CDT provides enhancement of upper extremity functions and quality of life in patients with BCRL. The reduction in lymphedema volume, pain, and heaviness and the improvement in shoulder mobility may be the contributed factors.