The effects of complex decongestive therapy on kinesthetic sense of hands, upper extremity function, and quality of life in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on the kinesthetic sense of hands, upper extremity function, and the quality of life in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2018 and August 2019, total of 50 women with BCRL (mean age: 56.5±9.6 years; range, 36 to 71 years) were included in the study. Kinesthetic sense of the hand, upper extremity function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH]), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]), and arm volume of all patients were evaluated before and after the treatment. All patients received CDT for 20 sessions for 1 h over a total of four weeks. RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease in the volume of the involved extremity was observed after the treatment (p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in the symptom score (p<0.001) and a significant improvement in the general health status and functional scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (p<0.001 and p=0.012, respectively). The DASH scores and visual and kinesthetic sense scores of the patients significantly improved after the treatment (p=0.016, p=0.008, and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study results show that BCRL is a serious complication which may lead to impairment in the kinesthetic sense of hand and upper extremity function with the increased arm volume. The CDT is an effective and safe method not only to achieve significant volume reduction in the extremities, but also to achieve favorable results in managing these problems.

Adaptation of Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema-Arm in Turkish Women With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Quality-of-life measures are needed for clinicians and researchers to identify quality of women's life with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). OBJECTIVE: To adapt Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema-Arm into Turkish (TR) and to test its validity and reliability. METHODS: This is a methodological and cross-sectional study and was conducted in the lymphedema outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The study included 109 women with BCRL. After linguistic validity of the scale was achieved, confirmatory factor analyses and known group validity were used to test its construct validity. Reliability of the scale was tested with Cronbach's α, item-total correlations, and Spearman-Brown coefficient. RESULTS: After linguistic validity was achieved, opinions requested from 5 experts specializing in lymphedema showed that item and content validity indexes of the scale were 1. Fit indexes of confirmatory factor analysis were as follows: χ/df = 1.86, root mean square error of approximation = 0.089, standardized root mean square residual = 0.09, and comparative fit index = 0.81. Known group validity analysis showed a significant difference in the mean scores for the subscales of Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema-Arm-TR, symptom, function, and body image/appearance in terms of lymphedema stages (P < .05). The internal reliability coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.78 and 0.86. The item-total correlation coefficients ranged between 0.36 and 0.73. CONCLUSION: Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema-Arm-TR was found to be valid and reliable in the TR population. It could be used in research to evaluate the quality of life in patients with BCRL. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The scale can be used to evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions directed toward patients developing breast cancer-related lymphedema in clinical settings and studies.

Assessment of Muscle Strength and Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

INTRODUCTION: To determine whether complete decongestive therapy (CDT) used in breast cancer-related lymphedema affects muscle strength in the affected arm while assessing the efficacy of the therapy itself. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema were included in this study. The demographic and clinical history characteristics of the patients were taken. The patients were then evaluated with measurements of extremity volumes and handgrip strengths using a hand dynamometer before and after the CDT. Data were then assessed using relevant statistical methods. RESULTS: The mean CDT duration was 17.5 ± 8.93 days for the patients. Therapy resulted in significant improvement in the affected arm (p < 0.01). The difference between the arm with lymphedema and the other side was statistically significant, and this difference remained after the therapy (p < 0.01). The change in handgrip strength in the side with lymphedema was not found to be statistically significant after therapy (p > 0.05). Handgrip strength differences and volume differences before and after the treatment in the affected arm were not correlated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Limbs affected with lymphedema were found to be weaker in handgrip strength and this weakness continued throughout the therapy. Strengthening exercises should be considered to be added into the treatment of patients undergoing CDT to gain better functional potential.

Is neuropathic pain associated with cardiac sympathovagal activity changes in patients with breast cancer?

Objective Heart rate variability (HRV) is a good indicator of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. A few studies have been conducted recently and have shown a relationship between reduced HRV and conditions that lead to neuropathic pain (NP). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether NP is associated with changes in cardiac sympathovagal activity in patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods We used the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) questionnaire to evaluate NP in 70 patients with BC. The patients were subjected to a 24-h Holter ECG monitorization to determine heart rate variability (HRV). Standard deviation (SD) of the normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), SD of the mean of the RR intervals (SDAAN), mean of the SD of the NN interval (SDNN Index), low-frequency component/high-frequency component ratio (LF/HF), and the mean heart rate of the patients were recorded. Results According to the LANSS questionnaire, 18 (25.7%) of the patients were classified as NP (+). The SDNN (P = 0.001), SDAAN (P = 0.003), and SDDN index (P = 0.007) were significantly lower in patients with NP than in patients without NP, whereas LF/HF ratio (P = 0.000) and mean heart rate were found to be significantly higher in patients with NP (P = 0.006). Conclusion According to our findings, NP (+) patients with BC had increased cardiac sympathetic activity, which was suggested to be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.