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Updated: May 14, 2026
05:44
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
Can Resistance Training Prevent Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.
Raúl Alberto Aguilera-Eguía1,2, Carlos Zaror3,4,5, Ruvistay Gutiérrez-Arias6,7,8
1Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción 4090541, Chile.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Resistance training (RT) is likely safe for preventing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), but its effectiveness remains highly uncertain. More research is needed to confirm RT
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) significantly impacts patient quality of life (QoL) and increases healthcare expenditures.
- Resistance training (RT) is a potential preventive strategy for BCRL, but its safety and efficacy require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of resistance training (RT) in preventing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) among at-risk women.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding RT's impact on lymphedema incidence, QoL, and related upper limb outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PEDro, LILACS) up to January 2025, including gray literature and trial registries.
- Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework.
- Primary outcomes included lymphedema occurrence and QoL; secondary outcomes encompassed pain, upper limb function, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- Eight RCTs involving 1131 participants were included in the analysis.
- The evidence regarding RT's effect on lymphedema incidence and arm volume is of very low certainty, indicating high uncertainty.
- Findings for QoL, pain, ROM, and grip strength were inconsistent and of low to very low certainty. Adverse events were generally mild and transient.
Conclusions:
- Resistance training (RT) appears to be safe for women at risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).
- The preventive effectiveness of RT for BCRL is currently highly uncertain due to limitations in the available evidence.
- Further high-quality RCTs with standardized diagnostic criteria, patient-centered outcomes, and long-term follow-up are necessary to definitively establish the role of RT in BCRL prevention.
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