Kaviani, A., Fateh, M., Yousefi Nooraie, R., Alinagi-Zadeh, M.R., & Ataie-Fashtami, L. (2006). Low-level laser therapy in management of postmastectomy lymphedema. Lasers in Medical Science, 21(2), 90-94.

To study the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in postmastectomy lymphedema

Patients were randomly assigned to either a laser or sham group. Patients in the laser group were treated with GA-As laser device wavelength 890 nm over the arm and axillary areas. Therapy was administered three times a week for three weeks. Then, after an eight-week interval, the same treatment protocol was repeated. Patients received a total of 18 treatments.

• The study involved 11 female patients; eight patients completed the therapy (four in each group).
• The patients were all diagnosed with unilateral postmastectomy lymphedema.

This was a double blind controlled trial.

Investigators measured changes in patients’ limb circumferences, pain scores, range of motion (ROM), heaviness of the affected limb, and desire to continue the treatment. Measurements were taken before and during the treatment at 3, 9, 12, 18, and 22 weeks.

• Eight patients completed the study.
• Reduction in limb circumference occurred in both groups but was greatest in the treatment group.
• Greater pain reduction occurred in the treatment group and desire to continue the therapy was greater in the treatment group. The other two parameters had no difference.

The study reported that LLLT may be effective in reducing arm circumference and pain. Researchers encouraged further studies with larger samples and more therapy. The study used a good design and excellent blinding.

• The study size was very small.
• The design had some similarities to Carati et al. (2003) but did not use same means of objective assessment.