Sisman, H., Sahin, B., Duman, B.B., & Tanriverdi, G. (2012). Nurse-assisted education and exercise decrease the prevalence and morbidity of lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Journal of B.U.O.N.: Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology, 17(3), 565–569.
To investigate the effect of education and exercises on development and progression of lymphedema
Patients were informed about measures to prevent lymphedema and about exercises. They were given written material prepared by the investigators. No further specifics about the education or exercises is provided.
The study took place in an outpatient setting in Turkey.
The study used a prospective observational design.
Arm circumference was measured.
Authors compared the percent of patients with minimal to severe lymphedema between those who exercised and those who did not over a six-month period; however, only 10 patients were noted to not exercise and sample sizes used in analysis were extremely small per severity group. Some patients who had lymphedema at study entry were stated to have no lymphedema at week 6.
Results are inconclusive given multiple limitations of the study.
Study findings are inconclusive regarding the effect of patient education and information to prevent or manage lymphedema in patients with breast cancer. Findings provide minimal support for use of exercise because of study report limitations.