Low-level laser therapy in management of postmastectomy lymphedema

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema. Eleven women with unilateral postmastectomy lymphedema were enrolled in a double-blind controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to laser and sham groups and received laser or placebo irradiation (Ga-As laser device with a wavelength of 890 nm and fluence of 1.5 J/cm2) over the arm and axillary areas. Changes in patients' limb circumference, pain score, range of motion, heaviness of the affected limb, and desire to continue the treatment were measured before the treatment and at follow-up sessions (weeks 3, 9, 12, 18, and 22) and were compared to pretreatment values. Results showed that of the 11 enrolled patients, eight completed the treatment sessions. Reduction in limb circumference was detected in both groups, although it was more pronounced in the laser group up to the end of 22nd week. Desire to continue treatment at each session and baseline score in the laser group was greater than in the sham group in all sessions. Pain reduction in the laser group was more than in the sham group except for the weeks 3 and 9. No substantial differences were seen in other two parameters between the two treatment groups. In conclusion, despite our encouraging results, further studies of the effects of LLLT in management of postmastectomy lymphedema should be undertaken to determine the optimal physiological and physical parameters to obtain the most effective clinical response.

Breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema self-care: Education, practices, symptoms, and quality of life

“…Lymphedema onset is a stressful, lifealtering event [1]. Breast cancer survivors with lymphedema report a poorer quality of life (QOL) than those without lymphedema and have multiple health-related symptoms [9,15,17,24].…”

The short-term effects of low-level laser therapy in the management of breast-cancer-related lymphedema

“…These therapies include complex physical therapies, manual lymphatic drainage, compression banding and garments, pneumatic pump therapies, elevation, exercise, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) [7]. LLLT has been used in the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema since 1995 [8][9][10][11] in countries other than the US and it was approved by FDA in 2007. It is presumed that by increasing lymphatic flow, LLLT reduces the surplus of both tissue protein and fluid, and thereby improves limb performance [9].…”

“…It is presumed that by increasing lymphatic flow, LLLT reduces the surplus of both tissue protein and fluid, and thereby improves limb performance [9]. It has been suggested that LLLT encourages lymphangiogenesis and stimulates lymphatic motoricity thus the greatest benefit is achieved over a long period of time [10,11].…”

Difference in Movement Magnitude According to the Type of Compression Therapy Used on Healthy Subjects

“…Compression therapy uses a functional compression garment or bandage 2,3) . Previous studies suggest that compression therapy is effective at reducing the circumference of edema 4) ; therefore, it is clinically useful for patients with diseases such as lymphoma, venous ulcer, and deep vein thrombosis. A secondary effect of compression therapy is an improvement in the quality of life 5) .…”