Table 1 Characteristics of studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis

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