title: EFFECTS OF COMPRESSION ON LYMPHEDEMA DURING RESISTANCE EXERCISE IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA: A RANDOMIZED, CROSS-OVER TRIAL.
abstract: The use of compression garments during exercise is recommended for women with breast cancer-related lymphedema, but the evidence behind this clinical recommendation is unclear. The aim of this randomized, cross-over trial was to compare the acute effects of wearing versus not wearing compression during a single bout of moderate-load resistance exercise on lymphedema status and its associated symptoms in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Twenty-five women with clinically diagnosed, stable unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema completed two resistance exercise sessions, one with compression and one without, in a randomized order separated by a minimum 6 day wash-out period. The resistance exercise session consisted of six upper-body exercises, with each exercise performed for three sets at a moderate-load (10-12 repetition maximum). Primary outcome was lymphedema, assessed using bioimpedance spectroscopy (L-Dex score). Secondary outcomes were lymphedema as assessed by arm circumferences (percent inter-limb difference and sum-of-circumferences), and symptom severity for pain, heaviness and tightness, measured using visual analogue scales. Measurements were taken pre-, immediately post- and 24 hours post-exercise. There was no difference in lymphedema status (i.e., L-Dex scores) pre- and post-exercise sessions or between the compression and non-compression condition [Mean (SD) for compression pre-, immediately post- and 24 hours post-exercise: 17.7 (21.5), 12.7 (16.2) and 14.1 (16.7), respectively; no compression: 15.3 (18.3), 15.3 (17.8), and 13.4 (16.1), respectively]. Circumference values and symptom severity were stable across time and treatment condition. An acute bout of moderate-load, upper-body resistance exercise performed in the absence of compression does not exacerbate lymphedema in women with BCRL.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: R U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cormie
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Galvao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reul-Hirche
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nosaka
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D058128:Compression Bandages; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function; D055070:Resistance Training; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*