Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP): CDP consists of patient education, manual lymph drainage, short traction bandaging, skin/nail care and exercise. The applications of all modalities of the CDP programme were performed by the physiotherapist.
Self-administered Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP): The self-administered CDP programme consisted of patient education, self-manual lymph drainage, self-short traction bandage application, self-skin/nail care and exercise. Participants were given one session of patient education before the self-administered CDP programme and patients were given practical information about all applications. Additionally, each component of the self-administered CDP programme was presented to the participants with a patient booklet and a video prepared by the researchers. Patients in the self-CDP group were followed up once a week with a patient follow-up diary.
Study summary
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a chronic condition adversely affecting physical, social, psychological and emotional well-being. The complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) programme is considered the gold standard in the management of lymphedema. The most important barriers affecting patient participation in the CDP programme are the lack of trained health personnel and the difficulty for patients to access treatment (peripheral location or financial difficulties). Therefore, self-administration of the CDP programme may contribute to the development of self-care strategies and the reduction of treatment costs.
Eligibility
Sex
FEMALE
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
* Being 18 years of age or older
* Having stage 1-3 lymphedema according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) classification
* Having a diagnosis of unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (Doppler, lymphoscintigraphy, and computed tomography were preferred to confirm the diagnosis of lymphedema based on a comprehensive medical assessment and condition of the patient)
* No evidence/suspicion of cancer recurrence after completion of adjuvant local and systemic therapies for at least 12 months
* Not having received a complex decongestive physiotherapy programme in the last 6 months
* Volunteer to participate in the study Able to read and understand Turkish.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to understand the questionnaires and refusal to participate
* History of congenital lymphedema or bilateral upper extremity lymphedema or malignant lymphedema
* Presence of neurological or mental illness or axillary web syndrome, major organ failure, or/ iatrogenic disease that may adversely affect the severity of lymphedema (such as using steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and calcium channel blockers)
* Presence of conditions contraindicated for complex decongestive physiotherapy (active infection, deep vein thrombosis/thrombophlebitis, cardiac oedema, pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, any skin disease such as scleroderma, allergic reactions to treatment).
Primary outcome measure(s)
Edema severity — Change from oedema severity baseline at 3 weeks (end of treatment) to 3 months (follow-up sessions) The severity of lymphedema was evaluated by circumferential measurement. The circumference of both limbs was measured starting from the nail base of the third finger to the proximal part at 5 cm intervals. The difference between both arms was recorded in cm. The severity of edema was evaluated according to the criteria determined by the American Physical Therapy Association. According to these criteria, a difference of less than 3 cm between both limbs was recorded as mild severity, 3-5 cm as moderate severity, and greater than 5 cm as severe lymphedema.
Symptom Assessment — Change from baseline symptoms at 3 weeks (end of treatment) to 1 month and 3 months (follow-up sessions) A numerical scale from 0 to 10 was used for symptom assessment (severity of pain, swelling, feeling of heaviness, increased temperature, feeling of tightness, fatigue, numbness and tingling). A numerical scale from 0 to 10 was used to report severity. 0 indicates no complaints; 10 indicates intolerable complaints.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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