Efficacy of Therapeutic Ultrasound Added to Complex Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
Lymphatic Research and Biology, cilt.23, sa.4, ss.272-280, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 23 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1089/lrb.2023.0019
- Dergi Adı: Lymphatic Research and Biology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.272-280
- Anahtar Kelimeler: lymphedema, breast cancer, ultrasound, complex decongestive therapy
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: To determine the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) added to complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Materials and Methods: Thirty female volunteer patients who developed stage 2-3 BCRL were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: standard treatment with CDT alone and CDT + TUS. Before the study, both groups were given a training and home program consisting of remedial exercises and skin care. All patients received 15 sessions of treatment over 3 weeks. Circumferential and ultrasonographic (USG) measurements of all patients were performed before and after treatment. Treatment efficacy was evaluated based on extremity volume and soft tissue thickness. Results: The demographic data and volume measurements of the patients were similar at the beginning of treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in the affected extremity in both groups in posttreatment circumferential measurements. However, the reductions in volume difference and volume difference percentage were significantly higher in the CDT + TUS group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In the USG measurements, a greater decrease was observed in the soft tissue thickness below the elbow in the CDT + TUS group compared with the CDT alone group (p = 0.003). Conclusion: In the treatment of BCRL, TUS added to CDT resulted in a reduction in lymphedema. We consider that when added to CDT, TUS can increase the efficacy of treatment by reducing lymphedema in stages 2 and 3 lymphedema cases.