title: A randomized controlled crossover study of manual lymphatic drainage therapy in women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema.
abstract: This paper describes a randomized controlled crossover study examining the effects of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in 31 women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. MLD is a type of massage used in combination with skin care, support/compression therapy and exercise in the management of lymphoedema. A modified version of MLD, referred to as simple lymphatic drainage (SLD), is commonly taught as a self-help measure. There has been limited research into the efficacy of MLD and SLD. The study reported here explores the effects of MLD and SLD on a range of outcome measures. The findings demonstrate that MLD significantly reduces excess limb volume (difference, d=71, 95% CI=16-126, P=0.013) and reduced dermal thickness in the upper arm (d=0.15, 95% CI=0.12-0.29, P =0.03). Quality of life, in terms of emotional function (d=7.2, 95% CI=2.3-12.1, P=0.006), dyspnoea (d=-4.6, 95% CI=-9.1 to -0.15, P=0.04) and sleep disturbance (d =-9.2, 95% CI=-17.4 to -1.0, P=0.03), and a number of altered sensations, such as pain and heaviness, were also significantly improved by MLD. The study provides evidence to support the use of MLD in women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. The limitations of the study are outlined and future areas for study are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Marie Curie Centre, Fairmile, Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vadgama
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mortimer
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome