Koul, R., Dufan, T., Russell, C., Guenther, W., Nugent, Z., Sun, X., & Cook, A.L. (2007). Efficacy of complete decongestive therapy and manual lymphatic drainage on treatment-related lymphedema in breast cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 67(3), 841–846.

Medical records for 250 patients referred for lymphedema treatment during the first two years of the program were analyzed. Data from the charts of 138 patients were included if their affected arms were larger than their unaffected arms at baseline and one-year and follow-up measurements were available. Pre- and post-volumetric measurements were compared, and the correlation with age; body mass index; and type of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy was determined. Treatment was stratified on the basis of the treatment modality used for breast cancer management. The therapy could include all four components of CDT or some components could be omitted at the discretion of the therapists. Fifty-five percent of patients received all four components; 32% received manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) alone; and 13% with mild lymphedema received instructions and counseling for the home program, which included self-administered lymph drainage and exercises. All patients received compression wraps during the intensive phase. Data from 250 patients was reviewed, and 138 were included in the final analysis.

Mean age of the study sample was 54.3 years.

The study took place at an outpatient lymphedema clinic staffed by two certified Vodder therapists in Winnipeg, Canada.

Circumference was measured from the wrist to the axilla every 4 cm.

Complete decongestive therapy and MLD with exercises were associated with a significant reduction in lymphedema volume. The mean affected arm pretreatment volume was 2,929 ml, with a range of 1,474–5,879. The normal arm range volume was 1,320–4,299 with mean volume 2,531 ml. The mean difference at base line was 398 ml. The number of MLD or CDT sessions was related to mastectomy (versus lumpectomy) and chemotherapy. One year after treatment an absolute volume reduction of 188 ml to 2,741 ml was found.

• The study had a risk of bias because of no randomization or control group.
• The study is retrospective.
• The components could not be qualified.