Vignes, S., Porcher, R., Arrault, M., & Dupuy, A. (2007). Long-term management of breast cancer-related lymphedema after intensive decongestive physiotherapy. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 101(3), 285–290.
Patients were followed for 12 months. Lymphedema volume was recorded prior to and at the end of intensive treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. Multivariate models analyzed the role of three components of complete decongestive therapy (CDT): manual lymph drainage (MLD), low-stretch bandage, and elastic sleeve on lymphedema volume during one-year maintenance (after intensive CDT). Lymphedema treatment was managed with an 11-day hospital stay for intensive therapy. The second maintenance phase was carried out by the patient and family at home. At the hospital, patient education on implementing self-management was an important goal. Patients and families were taught the self-bandaging technique throughout the intensive phase.
The study used a prospective cohort design.
Researchers concluded that bandages and an elastic sleeve are significant factors for maintenance if the sleeve is worn daily and self -bandages are worn nightly three times per week.