Evidence for the clinical effectiveness of decongestive lymphoedema treatment for breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema, a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Early treatment is advised for breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema (BCRL), a common sequelae of breast cancer treatment. Expert guidance recommends two-phase decongestive lymphoedema treatment (DLT), although evidence is lacking for current treatment protocols and UK women are routinely offered self-treatment with hosiery. This systematic review considered evidence regarding treatment of early BCRL, that is, within 12 months of developing BCRL.

Methods

A systematic review of evidence for clinical effectiveness of DLT for women with less than 12-month BCRL duration (early BCRL) was undertaken using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method. Studies included women with < 12-month or mean < 9-month BCRL duration; some studies reported only one eligible group. The origi

SUBMITTER: Jeffs E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11296965 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature