Casarotto RA1, Tonezzer T1, Munaretto Timm Baiocchi J2, Harari D1
1University of São Paulo, Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil, 2Instituto Oncofisio, São Paulo, Brazil
Background: Lymphedema is a common complication of surgical treatment of breast cancer associated with axillary lymph nodes dissection. Its main characteristic is the accumulation of protein in the interstitium due to a deficiency of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema control requires combined and multimodal therapeutic measures and the use of decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) as the non-pharmacological form of lymphedema treatment is recommended. New therapies have been incorporated into the treatment of lymphedema to improve its control. Considering the benefits of vibration therapy reported in previous studies, related to improve the circulation in the limbs, the hypothesis is that it could minimize the effects of lymphedema post-surgical in women with breast cancer. However, there are no studies on the use of vibratory stimulation in rehabilitation programs after breast cancer.
Purpose: This study aimed verify the effects of the use of vibratory platform on reduction of limb volume and tissue fibrosis in the treatment of upper limb lymphedema in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Methods: The research population comprised four women undergoing breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection with a diagnosis of lymphedema. The volunteers of the study were randomly divided into two treatment protocols: experimental group (EG) and Control group (CG). Both groups underwent 8 treatment sessions consisting of standardized Physical Therapy (PT) for lymphedema: skin care, manual lymphatic drainage in the lymph node chain; compression bandage on the upper limb and kinesiotherapy with compression bandaging. In the EG, the PT was associated with vibration platform (PV) therapy in the affected upper limb for 20 min, with 10 minutes being performed only on the platform passively and 10 minutes using the platform associated with fingers flexion with a ball in hand. The volunteers were evaluated after and before treatment, through the following measures:
1) Volume (V), calculated by the truncated cone formula;
2) Tissue Fibrosis - measured through the SkinFibroMeter®;
3) Numerical Pain Scale.
Results: No patient reported pain in the initial and final assessment. Patient 1 and 3 of of EG reduced the tissue stiffness 61% and 62% respectively; Patient 2 and 4 increased the stiffness 5.4% and 15,.4% respectively. A greater reduction in the volume of limb affected by lymphedema was observed in the EG: Patient 1 ↓ 6.5% and 3 ↓ 9.1% ). In the CG, Patient 2↓ 1.8% and 4↑1.9% the upper limb volume.
Conclusion(s): The vibratory platform associated with decongestive lymphatic therapy seems to be beneficial for reducing the volume and stiffness associated with lymphedema, without presenting in this study any adverse effects.
Implications: Recent studies use vibration therapy to alleviate manifestations such as pain, muscle tension, functional impairment, besides improving cardiovascular conditions, balance and proprioception and neurological disorders. The positive results of this study may contribute to new studies on the effect of the vibration platform on lymphedema and thus improve the treatment of this dysfunction.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Lymphedema, Vibration Therapy
Funding acknowledgements: This study was unfunded by any source.
Purpose: This study aimed verify the effects of the use of vibratory platform on reduction of limb volume and tissue fibrosis in the treatment of upper limb lymphedema in women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Methods: The research population comprised four women undergoing breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection with a diagnosis of lymphedema. The volunteers of the study were randomly divided into two treatment protocols: experimental group (EG) and Control group (CG). Both groups underwent 8 treatment sessions consisting of standardized Physical Therapy (PT) for lymphedema: skin care, manual lymphatic drainage in the lymph node chain; compression bandage on the upper limb and kinesiotherapy with compression bandaging. In the EG, the PT was associated with vibration platform (PV) therapy in the affected upper limb for 20 min, with 10 minutes being performed only on the platform passively and 10 minutes using the platform associated with fingers flexion with a ball in hand. The volunteers were evaluated after and before treatment, through the following measures:
1) Volume (V), calculated by the truncated cone formula;
2) Tissue Fibrosis - measured through the SkinFibroMeter®;
3) Numerical Pain Scale.
Results: No patient reported pain in the initial and final assessment. Patient 1 and 3 of of EG reduced the tissue stiffness 61% and 62% respectively; Patient 2 and 4 increased the stiffness 5.4% and 15,.4% respectively. A greater reduction in the volume of limb affected by lymphedema was observed in the EG: Patient 1 ↓ 6.5% and 3 ↓ 9.1% ). In the CG, Patient 2↓ 1.8% and 4↑1.9% the upper limb volume.
Conclusion(s): The vibratory platform associated with decongestive lymphatic therapy seems to be beneficial for reducing the volume and stiffness associated with lymphedema, without presenting in this study any adverse effects.
Implications: Recent studies use vibration therapy to alleviate manifestations such as pain, muscle tension, functional impairment, besides improving cardiovascular conditions, balance and proprioception and neurological disorders. The positive results of this study may contribute to new studies on the effect of the vibration platform on lymphedema and thus improve the treatment of this dysfunction.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Lymphedema, Vibration Therapy
Funding acknowledgements: This study was unfunded by any source.
Topic: Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of São Paulo
Ethics committee: Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine
Ethics number: nº. 2.836.666
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
