Paramanandam, V.S., & Roberts, D. (2014). Weight training is not harmful for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: A systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 60, 136–143.
PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
APPLICATIONS: Elder care
Weight training exercise with low to moderate intensity (no trials used high-intensity weight training) and relatively slow progression significantly improved upper limb strength (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI 0.73–1.12) and lower limb strength (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI 0.47–1.04) without increasing arm volume or the incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema. No significant effects were noted for body mass index (SMD = -0.10, 95% -0.31–0.11). Some aspects of quality of life may have improved with weight training. Participants in all trials used pressure garments and received supervision.
Weight training appeared to be safe and beneficial in improving limb strength and the physical components of quality of life in women with or at risk of lymphedema. Pressure garments, supervision, and limiting the intensity of the weight training may be important, but this could not be confirmed with this review.
A potential selection bias of the studies reviewed may exist because no blinding methods were employed among authors and affiliations. Heterogeneity among the studies reviewed limited the scope of the statistical analysis, so a narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted. Heterogeneity may also limit the generalizability of the overall study results.
This review indicated that low-intensity exercise was recommended to protect the arm from adverse events. However, supervision and compression garments were featured in the reviewed studies, and their impact and effectiveness need to be confirmed. In addition, no evidence was available to suggest that high-intensity weight training was harmful to the arm. Research efforts need to be made in this area.