McNeely, M.L., Magee, D.J., Lees, A.W., Bagnall, K.M., Haykowsky, M., & Hanson, J. (2004). The addition of manual lymph drainage to compression therapy for breast cancer related lymphedema: A randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 86(2), 95–106.
To compare the reduction in arm lymphedema volume achieved from manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in combination with compression bandaging (CB) to that achieved by CB alone
All subjects receive four weeks of allocated treatment, which also included standard education on proper arm and skin care. The MLD and CB group received 45 minutes of daily MLD Monday through Friday each week. Both groups receive CB.
Patients were included in the study if they
Patients were excluded from the study if they
The study took plact at the Cross Cancer Center in Edmonton, Canada.
The study used a prospective, randomized controlled study design.
A total of 45 participants completed the study. A significant reduction in lymphedema volume was found over a four-week period for both groups. No significant difference was noted in volume reduction (p = 0.812) or percent reduction (p = 0.297) between the groups. Therefore, a reduction in lymphedema volume occurred over the time period irrespective of the treatment group. The findings from the calculated volume determined from circumference measurements were consistent with the water displacement findings.
Findings suggest that CB alone should be considered as a primary treatment option in reducing lymphedema arm volume. It also suggests that treatment of lymphedema should be implemented as soon as possible after onset of the condition when treatment is likely to be more effective.