Intensive Treatment for Upper Limb Lymphedema.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Lymphedema Management
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating secondary condition following breast cancer treatment.
• Effective management strategies for BCRL are crucial for improving patients' quality of life.
• Current treatment options vary in intensity and duration, necessitating research into efficient therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an intensive, short-term treatment protocol for breast cancer-related lymphedema.
• To quantify the volume reduction in upper limbs affected by BCRL using the Godoy Method®.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of intensive lymphedema therapy.

Main Methods:

• A crossover study design was employed involving 45 women diagnosed with BCRL.
• Participants underwent an intensive 5-day treatment regimen of the Godoy Method®, with 8 hours of therapy daily.
• Volumetric measurements of the upper limbs were recorded pre- and post-treatment, with statistical analysis using the paired t-test.

Main Results:

• All patients experienced a reduction in upper limb volume following the intensive treatment.
• The average volume reduction across all participants was 45.38%.
• Significant volume reductions were observed, with 40% of patients achieving 40-50% reduction and 20% achieving over 50% reduction.

Conclusions:

• The intensive Godoy Method® demonstrates high effectiveness in rapidly reducing lymphedema volume over a 5-day period.
• This intensive therapy requires specialized centers equipped for its specific demands.
• The findings support intensive lymphedema treatment as a valuable option for reference centers and professional training.