Reference | Inclusion criteria | No. of patients | Age, years, (mean ± SD) | Intervention |
---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment | ||||
Andersen, 2000 | Symptoms of lymphedema; 20 mm circumference or 200 ml volume difference between arms | C: 22 | C: 56 (29 to 77)a | C: Sleeve and glove compression 32 to 40 mmHg + exercises + skin care + safety precautions |
I: 20 | I: 53 (25 to 73) | I: C + MLD 8 times in 2 weeks | ||
Didem, 2005 | 2-50 mm circumference difference between arms; lymphedema > 12 months after surgery | C: 26 | C: 54.7 ± 12.1 | C: Bandaging; elevation; head, neck and shoulder exercise, 3 days/week for 4 weeks |
I: 27 | I: 53.1 ± 3.05 | I: C + MLD | ||
Johansson, 1998 | >10% volume difference between arms | C: 12 | C: 57.5 (47.5-69.5)a | C: Sleeve compression for 2 weeks + SPC 40 to 60 mmHg 2 hours/day for 2 weeks |
I: 12 | I: 64 (52.5-69.5) | I: Sleeve compression 2 weeks + MLD for 5 days/weeks for 2 weeks | ||
Johansson, 1999 | >10% volume difference between arms | C: 18 | C: 64 ± 12 | C: Bandage compression for 3 weeks |
I: 20 | I: 58 ± 12 | I: C + MLD applied for 5 days during final weeks | ||
McNeely, 2004 | 150 ml volume difference between arms | C: 24 | C: 58 ± 13 | C: Bandage compression for 4 weeks |
I: 21 | I: 63 ± 13 | I: C + MLD for 45 minutes/day 5 days/week for 4 weeks | ||
Sitzia, 2002 | Lymphedema of one arm secondary to treatment for breast cancer | C: 13 | C: 75 ± 10.2 | C: SLD 30 minutes/day, 5 days/weeks for 2 weeks + bandage + exercises |
I: 15 | I: 68 ± 10.4 | I: MLD 90 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks + bandage + exercises | ||
Williams, 2002 | >10% volume difference between arms | G1: 15 | A: 63 ± 13 | G1: MLD for 3 weeks, then no treatment for 6 weeks, then SLD for 3 weeks |
G2: 16 | B: 58 ± 13 | G2: SLD for 3 weeks, then no treatment for 6 weeks, then MLD for 3 weeks | ||
Szolnoky, 2009 | Lymphedema >12 months after surgery | G1: 13 | G1: 54.8 | G1: MLD 60 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks |
G2: 14 | G2: 56.6 | G2: MLD for 30 minutes/day then SPC 50 mmHg for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks | ||
Prevention | ||||
Devoogdt, 2011 | Patients after breast-cancer surgery | C: 81 | C: 54.5 ± 11.1 | C: Exercise therapy 30 minutes/session |
I: 77 | I: 55.8 ± 12.5 | I: C + MLD 30 minutes/session for 40 sessions | ||
Torres Lacomba, 2010 | Patients after breast-cancer surgery | C: 60 | C: 52.9 ± 12.5 | C: Educational strategy |
I: 60 | I: 52.9 ± 10.7 | I: C + MLD + massage + exercise |