title: Photobiomodulation therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to examine the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema using a compactly designed treatment regime consisting of eight therapy sessions in combination with a cluster laser device covering a total area size of 78.54 cm² over the axillary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with unilateral lymphedema were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in order to evaluate effects of PBMT on lymphedema-related pain, quality of life, grip strength and limb volume difference. Subjects received irradiation for ten minutes per session using a cluster laser covering a beam area of 78.54 cm². The applied energy was 384 Joules resulting in an energy density of 4.89 J/cm².
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-treatment, a 50% reduction in median pain scores and an increase in mean quality of life were observed. Mean grip strength was persistently higher after eight sessions of PBMT compared with pretreatment; however, no statistically significant intergroup differences (P > 0.05) were found over the time course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBMT using a compactly designed treatment regime in combination with a cluster laser device did not significantly improve quality of life, pain scores, grip strength and limb volume over the time course.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, The Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian Andreas
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Storz
authors.affiliation: Centre of Palliative Care and Pediatric Pain, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gronwald
authors.affiliation: Centre of Palliative Care and Pediatric Pain, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gottschling
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, The Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schöpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Russalina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mavrova
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baum
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology*; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: breast cancer-related lymphedema; grip strength; limb volume; pain; photobiomodulation therapy