title: The Effects of Upper Limb Exercise Through Yoga on Limb Swelling in Chinese Breast Cancer Survivors - A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast cancer is the most common female cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of yoga on lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures before and after the intervention. We enrolled 15 women with breast cancer who had not previously worn elastic clothing to treat lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  The program was led by a certified trainer and consisted of 60-minute sessions, three times a week for 12 weeks. The volumes of the affected and normal limbs were measured. A self-assessed edema score was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients completed the program, none of whom suffered from complications related to exercise. There was no significant edema after exercise. No significant differences were noted in subgroup analysis by age or the affected arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yoga does not induce lymphedema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphedema is usually treated with uncomfortable elastic clothing, and high-resistance exercise may induce edema. Yoga may be suitable for these patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan2 Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University, Hsinchu, Taiwan3 Department of Health and Leisure Management, Yuanpei University, Hsinchu, Taiwan4 Department of Physical Education, National Hsinchu University of Education, Hsinchu, Taiwan5 Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Zhongxing Branch, Taipei, Taiwan6 Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan7 Fu-Jen University, New Taipei City, Taiwan8 Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: City C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Li-Sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wen-Sheng
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shu-Huan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ling-Li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shyh-Fang
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013624:Taiwan; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D015013:Yoga / Q000523:psychology*