Lymphedema Search Strategy and Results

Initial references prior to update: 25

Databases searched for update: PubMed, CINAHL

Search results of literature retrieved May 1, 2008–Feb. 23, 2017:

  • PubMed:
    • ((lymphoedema[ti] OR lymphedema[ti] OR Lymphedema[majr]) AND (systematic[ti] OR systematic[sb])) OR ((lymphoedema[ti] OR lymphedema[ti] OR Lymphedema[majr]) AND (Therapy/Broad[filter])) OR ((lymphoedema OR lymphedema) AND (decongestive OR CDT OR compression OR bandag* OR infection[ti] OR BMI OR weight[ti] OR drainage OR "skin care" OR exercise OR prophylactic* OR garment* OR hyperbaric OR laser OR pneumatic OR dressing OR pump OR diuretic* OR benzopyrenes OR venipunctur*)) AND ("2008/05/01"[PDAT] : "2017/02/23"[PDAT] AND cancer[sb])
    • 1,415 citations retrieved
  • CINAHL:
    • ((TI lymphoedema OR TI lymphedema OR MM Lymphedema)) OR ((lymphoedema OR lymphedema) AND (decongestive OR CDT OR compression OR bandag* OR TI infection OR BMI OR TI weight OR drainage OR "skin care" OR exercise OR prophylactic* OR garment* OR hyperbaric OR laser OR pneumatic OR dressing OR pump OR diuretic* OR benzopyrenes OR venipunctur*))
    • Limiters: Published Date: 20080501-20170223, English Language, Research Article, Clinical Queries: Therapy - High Sensitivity, Therapy - High Specificity, Therapy - Best Balance
    • 602 citations retrieved

346 titles were selected for full article review.

213 final studies were included after the removal of duplicates and studies that did not meet inclusion criteria and the addition of manuscripts retrieved in other topics meeting lymphedema-specific criteria.

Inclusion Criteria: 

  1. Full research report, systematic review, guideline, or meta-analysis
  2. Study must report results of measurement of lymphedema
  3. The study examines an intervention aimed at affecting the symptom, including risk reduction, prevention, and management.
  4. Study sample must include patients with cancer
  5. As of 1/1/2016, additional inclusions are (a) sample size of at least 40 or 20 per study group, and (b) for complex interventions, the description of the intervention must be sufficient to identify the components of that intervention.

Exclusion Criteria: 

  1. Grey literature
  2. Descriptive studies
  3. Studies involving only vascular changes