Lymphedema Rehabilitation Using Self-Adaptive Inelastic Compression in Breast Cancer: A Proof-of-Principle Study

Applied Sciences

Nicola Fusco¹  Elham Sajjadi¹  Marco Invernizzi²  Carlo Cisari²  Lorenzo Lippi²  Alessandro de Sire² 

[1] Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy;

关键词: breast cancer-related lymphedema;    lymphedema;    rehabilitation;    breast cancer;    inelastic compression;    quality of life;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app11041901

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Inelastic compression (IC) has been proposed as a therapeutic option in the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). To date, no studies have investigated the reliability of IC in the rehabilitative management of BCRL. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the safety and tolerability of an instantly adjustable IC device for BCRL patients. We included BCRL patients referred to an Oncological Rehabilitation Unit. They were subjected to complex decongestion therapy using a self-adaptive IC device. The primary outcome was safety and tolerability of IC in the rehabilitation treatment of BCRL patients. Secondary outcomes were: BCRL volume modifications; disability; quality of life; IC application time. Outcomes were assessed at the baseline (T0), at the end of the 2-week rehabilitation treatment (T1), and at 1 month (T2). Nine BCRL women, mean aged 56.7 ± 4.4 years, were enrolled. None showed side effects, except for a low discomfort and moderate swelling reported by 1 patient (11.1%). BCRL volume significantly reduced at T1 (p = 0.001) with a positive trend at T2. IC timing was significantly reduced at T1 (p = 0.035) and T2 (p = 0.003). Taken together, these findings suggested that IC could be considered as a safe, well-tolerated, and effective tool in the rehabilitative management of BCRL patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown