Efficacy of low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a cross-over randomized trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy and manual lymphatic drainage in the treatment of chronic upper limb breast cancer-related lymphoedema.Design: Cross-over single-blind random clinical trial.Setting: Rehabilitation service.Participants: Thirty-six women with chronic upper limb breast cancer-related lymphoedema.Methods: Patients were randomized to undergo 10 sessions of manual lymphatic drainage followed by 10 sessions of low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy or to undergo first low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy followed by manual lymphatic drainage. There was a month of washout time between treatments. Each patient was examined just before and after each treatment. Researchers and outcome assessors were blinded for assigned treatment.Measures: Outcomes were lymphoedema volume, pain, heaviness and tightness, and health-related quality of life measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Questionnaire for Breast Cancer version 4 (FACT-B+4). Carry-over, period and treatment effects were analysed. Treatment effect was assessed using paired t-test.Results: Thirty patients finalized treatment. Comparing the changes in low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy with manual lymphatic drainage changes, there were no significant differences. Low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy did not reduce lymphoedema volume (mean of change = 19.77 mL, P = 0.36), but significant reductions were observed in pain, heaviness and tightness (mean of change = 13.1, 16.2 and 6.4 mm, respectively), and FACT-B+4 summaries improved significantly (Trial Outcome Index mean of change = 5.4, P = 0.015). Manual lymphatic drainage showed no significant changes in any of the outcomesConclusion: Although there are no significant differences between treatment changes, the observed trend towards a better health-related quality of life is remarkable in low-frequency low-intensity electrotherapy.

Effect of Prophylactic Physical Activities on Reducing Lymphedema among Women Post Mastectomy

“…So, the intervention group has better physical activities than the control group. This result is in the same line to (Belmonte, 2012) and (Bergmann et al, 2014) who said that the early physical activity during the postoperative period they may decrease the risk of lymphedema development.…”

Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence‐based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment

“…Many other reviews reached similar conclusions, reporting positive, moderate effect sizes of mind-body interventions (MBIs) on anxiety and distress in cancer. 174,175,316 Anemia LCS101 combination botanical, 200 RG-CMH combination botanical, 201 shenqi fuzheng injection 202 Anxiety/stress reduction Art therapy, 203,204 comprehensive coping strategy, 205 electrical nerve stimulation, 206 Pain Comprehensive coping strategy, 205 stress management, 36 vitamin D2, 254 electrical nerve stimulation, 206 cognitive and behavioral therapy, 255 hypnosis, 256 massage, 88 myofascial release, 209 reflexology 139,212 Quality of life Acupressure, 216 Biofield Healing 225 calendula cream, 257 cannabis, 258 chlorella extract, 259 CoQ10, 226 curcuminoids, 260 electrical nerve stimulation, 206 electrotherapy, 245 flaxseed, 261 Ganoderma lucidum, 227 gingko forte, 246 guided imagery, 262 Radiation therapy-induced toxicity outcomes Adlay bran extract, 274 alpha ointment with henna, 275 Aquaphor-Biafine-Radiacare, 276b boswellia cream, 277 calendula cream, 257,278 chamomile, 279 curcumin, 280 glutamine, 281 homeopathic pills, 282 honey, 283,284 hydration,…”

Putting Evidence Into Practice: Cancer-Related Lymphedema

“…New emerging treatments were under investigation, including aquatherapy (Johansson et al, 2013;Tidhar & Katz-Leurer, 2010), axillary reverse mapping (Boneti et al, 2012), cell transplantation (Maldonado et al, 2011), massage (Maher, Refshauge, Ward, Paterson, & Kilbreath, 2012), qigong (Fong et al, 2014), the use of a device delivering electronic sound waves and vacuum (Cavezzi, Paccasassi, & Elio, 2013), extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Bae & Kim, 2013), use of a mechanical exercise device (Bordin, Guerreiro Godoy, & Pereira de Godoy, 2009;Guerreiro Godoy, Guimaraes, Oliani, & Pereira de Godoy, 2011;Guerreiro Godoy, Oliani, & Pereira de Godoy, 2010;Guerreiro Godoy, Pereira, Oliani, & Pereira de Godoy, 2012), low-intensity electrostatic stimulation (Belmonte et al, 2012), and lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (Woo, Park, Kim, & Kim, 2013).…”