The 10-Min Holistic Self-Care for Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

About 20% of patients with breast cancer are likely to develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) following an axillary clearance, and BCRL can be refractory or irreversible to treatment. The aim of this pilot randomized controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-min holistic self-care program for patients with BCRL in Japan. The intervention group (n = 22) practiced the BCRL self-care program including 1) modified Japanese Radio Taiso (Rajio Taiso, national calisthenics in Japan), 2) gentle arm exercises combined with deep breathing, 3) central lymphatic drainage, and 4) skin care using a traditional lymphatic drainage technique daily for 6 months, while the control group (n = 21) received usual care from their hospitals. There was significant group*time interaction in the relative edema volume and relative volume change of the hand, with the intervention group having the better outcome. The intervention group showed significant improvement in transepidermal water loss as well as the mental health component summary score of the SF-8, most of BCRL-related symptoms, self-care time and score, frequencies of exercise, self-lymphatic drainage and skin care, and perceived adherence and effectiveness to self-care, although we were unable to exclude the possibility of the Hawthorne effect. Notably, even in the control group, the self-care was similarly increased, but the significant improvements were detected only in transepidermal water loss on the forearm and upper arm, pain and coldness. In conclusion, the patients who practiced the holistic BCRL self-care for 6 months have shown greater improvement.

Self-managed physical activity in breast cancer survivors: A scoping review

“…Fifty-five studies also investigated changes in QoL following self-care PA programs [ 17 , 20 , 25 , 26 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 39 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 47 – 49 , 52 – 55 , 61 – 63 , 65 , 66 , 69 , 77 , 81 – 83 , 86 , 90 – 95 , 98 , 100 – 103 , 105 , 106 , 108 , 111 , 113 – 116 , 118 – 124 ]. The outcome measures mostly used were the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast, and the Short Form Health Survey 36.…”

Relationship between kinesiophobia and quality of life among patients with breast cancer–related lymphedema: Chain-mediating effect of self-care and functional exercise compliance

“… 25 Interestingly, a randomized controlled study confirmed that BC patients in the intervention group who participated in a 10-min holistic BCRL self-care program including gentle arm functional exercises for 6 months exhibited higher improvements in BCRL-related symptoms, self-care scores, and exercise frequency (all P < 0.05) than those in the control group, highlighting the beneficial effects of the BCRL self-care program among BC patients. 26 Additionally, a small sample feasibility study confirmed that patients with BCRL who followed daily home-based exercise combining with standard lymphedema self-care measures for 26 weeks experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in the management of BCRL, adherence to the exercise program, and QoL, compared to the control group that only practiced self-care measures. 27 …”

“… 12 An accumulating stream of studies has demonstrated that sufficient self-care capacity and adherence to functional exercises can help improve edema and have a potent effect on the QoL of women with lymphedema. 26 , 27 Nevertheless, the relationship between kinesiophobia and QoL has rarely been examined in detail. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore this hypothesized association, which may be connected to self-care and adherence to functional exercise.…”

Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Strategies for Upper and Lower Extremity Lymphedema: A Comprehensive Review

“…However, despite the promising results, no significant differences were highlighted between groups, which was probably because of the small sample. Accordingly, a recent pilot RCT by Arinaga et al [ 44 ] reported no significant differences between standard care and 10 min holistic daily self-treatment composed of skincare, central lymphatic drainage, and gentle arm exercise.…”