Liao, S.F., Li, S.H., Huang, H.Y., Chen, S.T., Kuo, S.J., Chen, D.R., & Wei, T.S. (2013). The efficacy of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and predictive factors of lymphedema severity and response to CDP in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Breast, 22, 703–706.
To estimate the efficacy of and predictive factors for response to complete decongestive physical (CDP) therapy in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema
Retrospective review of records was done to describe results of a CDP program and analyze factors that might predict outcomes and CDP response. The CDP program consisted of 10–26 sessions of manual lymph drainage, compression therapy for 23 hours per day, remedial exercise, and skin and nail care instructions.
The study was conducted at a single-site, outpatient setting in Taiwan.
Patients were undergoing mutliple treatment phases of care.
The study used a retrospective, observational design.
Findings suggest that baseline lymphedema and age are significantly related to longer-term response to CDP for lymphedema management.
This study provides little new information regarding efficacy of CDP in management of lymphedema in women with breast cancer. Findings show that initial severity of lymphedema may predict response to CDP, which suggests that early intervention for lymphedema can be important.