Ann Rehabil Med.  2013 Jun;37(3):396-402. 10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.396.

Clinical Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy for Malignant Lymphedema: A Pilot Study

• Hwang KH
• Jeong HJ
• Kim GC
• Sim YJ

• KMID: 2219537
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.396

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) on malignant lymphedema patients.
METHODS
Patients (n=22) with malignant lymphedema of the upper or the lower limb were assigned to this study. CDPT without manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) was used five times per week for two weeks. The main outcome measurements included measurement of the circumference of the limb (proximal, distal, and total) to assess volume changes. We also employed the visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate pain, and the short form-36 version 2 questionnaire (SF-36) to assess quality of life (QOL). All items were assessed pre and post-treatment for each patient.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant difference in the volume change of the upper limbs (3.7%, p=0.001) and the lower limbs (10.9%, p=0.001). A 1.5 point reduction on the ten-point VAS was noted after CDPT. The scores on the physical and the mental components of the SF-36 showed statistical improvement after treatment (p=0.006, p=0.001, respectively).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that all components of the CDPT program except MLD are helpful in treating malignant lymphedema in terms of pain reduction and reduction of the volume of the affected upper or lower limb. This treatment regimen also has positive effects on QOL.

Keyword

Cancer; Lymphedema; Physiotherapy; Quality of life; Pain

MeSH Terms

Drainage
Extremities
Humans
Lower Extremity
Lymphedema
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life
Upper Extremity

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