Low-intensity resistance training versus manual lymphatic drainage: Effect on upper limb volume, upper limb function,...

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition affecting 90-250 million people worldwide, with women being more frequently impacted. Individuals who undergo mastectomy are at increased risk of developing upper limb lymphedema, leading to swelling, pain, discomfort, and functional limitations. Therefore, it is essential to explore effective strategies for its management.

This quasi-experimental study included 20 subjects aged 40-55 years with unilateral post-mastectomy lymphedema. Demographic and clinical information was collected through interviews and verified using previous medical records. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (n = 10) received low-intensity resistance training with a compression garment, and Group B (n = 10) received manual lymphatic drainage with compression bandaging. Upper limb volume was measured using circumference measurements with the truncated cone formula; upper limb function was assessed using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire; and shoulder pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Both groups participated in three sessions per week for 8 weeks, after which all outcome measures were reassessed.

Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in upper limb volume, upper limb function, and shoulder pain. However, between-group comparisons indicated that Group A demonstrated significantly greater improvement ( P < 0.05) across all outcome measures, including circumference measurements, DASH, and VAS scores.

Both low-intensity resistance training with compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage with compression bandaging were effective in reducing upper-limb volume, enhancing function, and decreasing shoulder pain. However, the resistance-training protocol resulted in superior overall outcomes compared to manual lymphatic drainage.