Synergic effect of compression therapy and controlled active exercises using a facilitating device in the treatment of arm lymphedema.
METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effect of the combination of compression therapy with active exercising using a facilitating apparatus on arm lymphedema.


METHODS
Twenty women with a mean age of 63.3 years were evaluated; all had lymphedema resulting from breast cancer treatment. The inclusion criterion was a difference of 200 mL in size between arms. The apparatus used, called 'pulley system', is a vertical iron wheel fixed on a support at a distance of 10 cm from the patient's body. Participants were submitted to two series of active exercises using this facilitating device, one series using a compression sleeve and the other without. Each series consisted of four 12-minute sessions of exercises separated by 3-minute rest intervals. Volumetry was performed before and after each series of exercises. The paired t-test was utilized for statistical analysis (p-value < 0.05).


RESULTS
A significant mean reduction (p-value < 0.007) and non-significant mean increase (p-value < 0.2) in volumes were observed during exercising with and without compression, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Controlled active exercising utilizing a facilitating apparatus while wearing a compression sleeve reduces the size of lymphedematous arms.
Medicine School, São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Brazil. godoyjmp@riopreto.com.br
Maria de Fátima Guerreiro
Mde F
Godoy
Maria Regina
MR
Pereira
Antonio Helio
AH
Oliani
Jose Maria Pereira
JM
de Godoy
D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome