Role of physiotherapy and patient education in lymphedema control following breast cancer surgery

doi:10.2147/TCRM.S77669

CNU IR > College of Sustainable Environment and Recreation > Dept. of Recreation and Health-Care Management > Periodical Articles > Item 310902800/29581

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ir.cnu.edu.tw/handle/310902800/29581

Title:	Role of physiotherapy and patient education in lymphedema control following breast cancer surgery
Authors:	Lu, Shiang-Ru Hong, Rong-Bin Chou, Willy Hsiao, Pei-Chi
Contributors:	休閒保健管理系
Keywords:	breast cancer lymphedema physical therapy education
Date:	2015
Issue Date:	2016-04-19 19:00:59 (UTC+8)
Publisher:	Dove Medical Press Ltd
Abstract:	Introduction: This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether education in combination with physiotherapy can reduce the risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).Methods: We analyzed 1,217 women diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer between January 2007 and December 2011 who underwent tumor resection and axillary lymph node dissection. The patients were divided into three groups: Group A (n=415), who received neither education nor physiotherapy postsurgery; Group B (n=672), who received an educational program on BCRL between Days 0 and 7 postsurgery; and Group C (n=130), who received an educational program on BCRL between Days 0 and 7 postsurgery, followed by a physiotherapy program. All patients were monitored until October 2013 to determine whether BCRL developed. BCRL risk factors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models.Results: During the follow-up, 188 patients (15.4%) developed lymphedema, including 77 (18.6%) in Group A, 101 (15.0%) in Group B, and 10 (7.7%) in Group C (P=0.010). The median period from surgery to lymphedema was 0.54 years (interquartile range =0.18-1.78). The independent risk factors for BCRL included positive axillary lymph node invasion, a higher (>20) number of dissected axillary lymph nodes, and having undergone radiation therapy, whereas receiving an educational program followed by physiotherapy was a protective factor against BCRL (hazard ratio =0.35, 95% confidence interval =0.18-0.67, P=0.002).Conclusion: Patient education that begins within the first week postsurgery and is followed by physiotherapy is effective in reducing the risk of BCRL in women with breast cancer.
Relation:	Therapeutics And Clinical Risk Management, v.11, pp.319-327
Appears in Collections:	[Dept. of Recreation and Health-Care Management] Periodical Articles

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