Tacani, P.M., Franceschini, J.P., Tacani, R.E., Machado, A.F., Montezello, D., Goes, J.C., & Marx, A. (2014). Retrospective study of the physical therapy modalities applied in head and neck lymphedema treatment. Head and Neck, 38, 301–308.
To determine the overall symptom benefit of various physical therapy (PT) modalities applied on patients with head and neck cancer and lymphedema
This was a retrospective chart review of 32 patients with head and neck cancer who participated in physical therapy from August 2008 to July 2010. Patients were excluded if three or more variables were missing from the chart.
This was a retrospective study. The authors conducted a chart review of 20 patients who participated in physical therapy for complaints of swelling and pain related to head and neck surgery.
This study examined variables retrospectively to assess which practices might prove meaningful in a prospective study of patients with head and neck cancer. Pain would be an important symptom to study because of the interval between diagnosis and referral to physical therapy. Multiple physical therapy modalities were used, and a study supporting this would be useful. The findings from this study provided valuable information regarding designing future prospective studies.
The duration between diagnosis of disease and referral to physical therapy was greater than two years in most cases. Excellent pain assessment skills are needed for this patient population because stiffness and tightness are usually caused by fibrosis. Fibrosis is progressive and needs to be addressed early. Physical therapy might be beneficial in the management of lymphedema.