Devoogdt, N., Christiaens, M.R., Geraerts, I., Truijen, S., Smeets, A., Leunen, K., . . . Van Kampen, M. (2011). Effect of manual lymph drainage in addition to guidelines and exercise therapy on arm lymphoedema related to breast cancer: randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 343, d5326.
To determine the effect of manual lymph drainage (MLD) in addition to exercise compared to exercise alone for management of lymphedema in patients with breast cancer
After surgery, patients with axillary node dissection were recruited to the study and randomized to receive exercise, guidelines for self-care and MLD, or exercise and guidelines alone. MLD was begun one week after removal of axillary drains and 5 weeks after surgery and was provided for 20 weeks. All patients received the same guidelines and 30-minute individual exercise sessions. Standardized MLD sessions took half an hour, and patients received 40 treatments during the study period. Patient assessments were done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
The study took place at a singe outpatient site in the Netherlands.
Patients were undergoing multiple phases of care.
The study used a single-blind randomized controlled trial design.
There were no differences between groups in incidence of arm lymphedema, time to lymphedema development, or maximal increase in arm circumference.
The addition of MLD to a program of patient guidelines and education and exercise did not have an effect on prevention of arm lymphedema in patients with breast cancer after axillary node dissection.
Findings show that the addition of MLD to a program of exercise and patient guidelines for self-management had no benefit to prevent lymphedema development.