Effectiveness of Self-Physiotherapy in the Management of Lymphedema

Launched by DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY · Oct 19, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women according to the GLOBOCAN cancer data. The advancements in BC screening, diagnosis and treatment have increased the 5-year survival rate to more than 90%. On the other hand, the chronic disease process and side effects of treatment in BC survivors have been reported to lead to significant morbidities. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is reported as one of the most common morbidities leading to impaired upper extremity functionality and decreased quality of life. Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal a...

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• • Being 18 years of age or older
• • Having stage 1-3 lymphedema according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) classification
• • Having a diagnosis of unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (Doppler, lymphoscintigraphy, and computed tomography were preferred to confirm the diagnosis of lymphedema based on a comprehensive medical assessment and condition of the patient)
• • No evidence/suspicion of cancer recurrence after completion of adjuvant local and systemic therapies for at least 12 months
• • Not having received a complex decongestive physiotherapy programme in the last 6 months
• • Volunteer to participate in the study Able to read and understand Turkish.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to understand the questionnaires and refusal to participate
• • History of congenital lymphedema or bilateral upper extremity lymphedema or malignant lymphedema
• • Presence of neurological or mental illness or axillary web syndrome, major organ failure, or/ iatrogenic disease that may adversely affect the severity of lymphedema (such as using steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and calcium channel blockers)
• • Presence of conditions contraindicated for complex decongestive physiotherapy (active infection, deep vein thrombosis/thrombophlebitis, cardiac oedema, pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, any skin disease such as scleroderma, allergic reactions to treatment).