Neoplasms

Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

All Conditions

Blood and Lymph Conditions

Symptoms and General Pathology

Behaviors and Mental Disorders

Breast Neoplasms

Lymphedema

Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Breast Diseases

Skin Diseases

Lymphatic Diseases

Postoperative Complications

Quality of Life

The intervention was therapist administered low level laser therapy using low level laser, number of sessions based upon patient response

The intervention was therapist administered manual lymphatic drainage (mld) using standard massage techniques,number of sessions based upon patient response

The intervention was therapist administered low level laser and mld using low level laser and standard massage techniques, number of sessions based upon patient response

The intervention is therapist administered laser and mld treatment combined

laser and MLD combined

The intervention is therapist administered laser

laser alone

The intervention is therapist administered manual lymphatic drainage

manual lymphatic drainage

sheila h ridner, phd

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (massage therapy) with compression (wearing a tight sleeve on the arm) is the current standard of treatment for breast cancer related lymphedema (arm swelling). Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) was approved in 2006 by the FDA for professional and self/home treatment of lymphedema. LLLT is being offered as a treatment option in many lymphedema treatment settings, but there are few studies of the effectiveness of LLLT as a stand-alone lymphedema treatment or as a possible complementary lymphedema treatment modality to Manual Lymphatic Drainage. The objective of this proposed pilot study is to examine the impact of Advance Practice Nurse (ANP) administered LLLT, as both a stand-alone and complementary treatment, on arm volume, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Findings from this pilot study will be used to determine if LLLT has possible value in the treatment of lymphedema and warrants subsequent evaluation in a larger study.

The purpose of this proposed pilot study is to examine the impact of Advance Practice Nurse (ANP) administered LLLT, as both a stand-alone and complementary treatment, on arm volume, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with related LE. Findings from this pilot randomized study will be used to determine if LLLT has possible value in the treatment of LE and warrants subsequent evaluation in a larger study.

Low Level Laser Treatment and Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Bioimpedance measured by units of LDex. As extracellular fluid accumulates (i.e. lymphedema develops) the LDex value increases.

Whole arm measurement to determine volume.

Yes/no response to a symptom listed on the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Scale-Arm (LSIDS-A) self-report form.

The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy that measure quality of life -total score. Range of scores could be 0 to 148. Higher score represents higher quality of life.

Vanderbilt University

professor

therapist administered laser treatment

laser: therapist administered laser

No adverse events during the study.

Laser Therapy Alone

therapist administered manual lymphatic drainage

manual lymphatic drainage: therapist administered massage therapy

No adverse events during the study.

Mld Alone

therapist administered laser and mld

Low Level Laser Therapy with Manual Lymphatic Drainage: therapist will give both mld and laser treatment

No adverse events during the study.

Laser and Mld Combined

therapist administered laser treatment

laser: therapist administered laser

therapist administered manual lymphatic drainage

manual lymphatic drainage: therapist administered massage therapy

therapist administered laser and mld

Low Level Laser Therapy with Manual Lymphatic Drainage: therapist will give both mld and laser treatment

Total

Age, Continuous

Sex: Female, Male

Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)

Race (NIH/OMB)

United States

Region of Enrollment

Time from surgery to lymphedema diagnosis

Duration of lymphedema prior to study enrollment

breast cancer survivors with known lymphedema

Sheila H, Ridner, PHD

LDex Change-

Total number of reported symptoms. Range of symptoms reported could be 0 to 36. Greater number of symptoms represents worse outcome.

Symptoms

therapist administered manual lymphatic drainage (mld)

manual lymphatic drainage: therapist administered massage therapy

Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for lymphedema in breast cancer survivors