Bozkurt, M., Palmer, L.J., & Guo, Y. (2016). Effectiveness of decongestive lymphatic therapy in patients with lymphedema resulting from breast cancer treatment regardless of previous lymphedema treatment. The Breast Journal, 23, 154–158.

To compare the effects of decongestive therapy in patients who did and did not receive previous treatment for lymphedema

Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. Patient were grouped according to having received lymphedema treatment or not. Patients had undergoing assessment and 4–12 lymphedema treatments for four to six weeks. Consecutive patients referred for lymphedema treatment were included in the analysis. The intervention included MLD and compression, as well as teaching about good skin care, limb exercises, and deep breathing.

• N = 72   
• MEAN AGE = 53
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with breast cancer with unilateral arm lymphedema who had standard axillary lymph node dissection
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Two to three years postsurgery for breast cancer

• SITE: Single site   
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: Texas

Retrospective cohort comparison

• Lymphedema defined as a volume increase of greater than 150 ml compared to the ipsilateral arm.
• Perometer measurement

Both groups had a reduction in limb volume.

Complete decongestive therapy was effective in reducing lymphedema for both patients who had prior treatment for lymphedema and those who did not.

• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no random assignment)
• Unclear what types of previous treatment were involved

The findings add to the body of knowledge that complete decongestive therapy is effective in reducing lymphedema volume whether or not patients had undergone previous treatment for lymphedema.