Lau, R.W., & Cheing, G.L. (2009). Managing postmastectomy lymphedema with low-level laser therapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, 27(5), 763–769.
To investigate effects of low-level laser therapy in managing lymphedema
Women were randomly assigned to laser treatment or usual care. Subjects in the laser group received low-level laser therapy (LLLT) three times a week for four weeks to the axillary region. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, after four weeks of treatment and again at a four-week follow-up.
The study took place in an outpatient setting in China.
The study used a single-blind, randomized controlled trial design.
In the laser group, arm volume decreased significantly (p = 0.000), whereas those in the control group had a significant increase at the four-week follow-up. Group differences were significant (p = 0.044) at the four-week follow-up time point. For the first month, there were no significant differences between groups. Over time, the laser group showed a significant increase in tonomety readings at some sites (p = 0.000), indicating less tissue hardness, while there were no changes in the control group. Mean DASH scorers decreased significantly from baseline in the laser group (p = 0.04). There were no significant changes in DASH scores in the control group.
Low-level laser treatment in the study appeared to improve subjective pain and disability, improve tissue tone, and reduce lymphedema.
Low-level laser therapy is promising for management of lymphedema postmastectomy.