EFFECTS OF COMPRESSION BANDAGING WITH OR WITHOUT MANUAL LYMPH DRAINAGE TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH POSTOPERATIVE ARM LYMPHEDEMA

Abstract

We examined the effects of low stretch compression bandaging (CB) alone or incombination with manual lymph drainage (MLD) in 38 female patients with arm lymphedemaafter treatment for breast cancer. After CB therapy for 2 weeks (Part I), the patients wereallocated to either CB or CB+MLD for 1 week (Part II). Arm volume and subjective assessmentsof pain, heaviness and tension were measured. The mean lymphedema volume reduction for thetotal group during Part I was 188 ml (p<0.001), a mean reduction of 26% (p<0.001). DuringPart II the volume reduction in the CB+MLD group was 47 ml (p<0.001) and in CB group 20ml. These differences were not significant (p=0.07). A percentage reduction of 11% (p<0.001) inthe CB+MLD group and 4% in the CB group was significantly different (p=0.04). In both theCB and the CB+MLD group, a decrease of feeling of heaviness (p<0.006 and p<0.001,respectively) and tension (p<0.001 for both) in the arm was found, but only the CB+MLD groupshowed decreased pain (p<0.03).Low stretch compression bandaging is an effective treatment giving volume reduction ofslight or moderate arm lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer. Manual lymph drainageadds a positive effect.