Aqua Lymphatic Therapy in Women Who Suffer from Breast Cancer Treatment-related Lymphedema: a Randomized Controlled Study

Overview

Journal Support Care Cancer

Specialties Critical Care
Oncology

Date 2009 Jun 5

PMID 19495810

Citations 25

Authors

Dorit Tidhar

Michal Katz-Leurer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema is an adverse effect of breast cancer surgery. Aqua lymphatic therapy (ALT) is a novel treatment for limb volume reduction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether ALT is a safe method and whether there are differences in adherence, limb volume, and quality of life between women who perform only self-management treatment and women who participate as well in ALT.

Design: Design of the study was single-blind randomized clinical trial.

Setting: The setting was in a hydrotherapy pool, 1.2 m depth, and a temperature of 32-33 degrees capital ES, Cyrillic.

Patients: Forty-eight women (56 +/- 10 years), with a 12.8% lymphedema relative volume, participated in the study.

Intervention: The control group was instructed to perform the self-management treatment. The study group joined a weekly session of ALT for 3 months in addition to the self-management therapy.

Measurements: Adherence was assessed by a self-reported diary, limb volume by a water displacement device, quality of life by the Upper Limb Lymphedema Questionnaire (ULL27), prior to, and after the intervention period.

Results: There was no episode of arm infection or aggravation in limb volume during the study period. ALT had a positive, statistically and clinically significant immediate effect on limb volume but no long-term effect was noted. The adherence rate to ALT was significantly higher than the adherence to self-management therapy. QOL improved in the study group.

Conclusion: ALT was found to be a safe method, with high adherence, in treating women who suffer from mild to moderate lymphedema. A significant immediate and insignificant long-term effect on limb volume was noted.

Citing Articles

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Effect of Conservative Rehabilitation Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Upper Limb Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Munoz-Alcaraz M, Jimenez-Vilchez A, Perula-de Torres L, Serrano-Merino J, Garcia-Bustillo A, Pardo-Hernandez R Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(18).

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What do we know about treating breast-cancer-related lymphedema? Review of the current knowledge about therapeutic options.

Anuszkiewicz K, Jankau J, Kur M Breast Cancer. 2022; 30(2):187-199.

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Does aquatic physical therapy affect the rehabilitation of breast cancer in women? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Wang J, Chen X, Wang L, Zhang C, Ma J, Zhao Q PLoS One. 2022; 17(8):e0272337.

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Water therapies (hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy) for patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Reger M, Kutschan S, Freuding M, Schmidt T, Josfeld L, Huebner J J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2022; 148(6):1277-1297.

PMID: 35171330 PMC: 9114041. DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-03947-w.

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