Comparison of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Pump as Adjunct to Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy against Decongestive Therapy Alone for Upper Limb Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is among the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide, with substantial morbidity and mortality. Upper limb lymphedema (ULL) is a common complication after breast cancer surgery that affects patients' daily activities and quality of life. Decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy are 2 primary treatment methods for ULL.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of DLT with IPC versus DLT alone in the management of ULL following breast cancer surgery.

Method: PubMed Central, SCOPUS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Trial Registry, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DLT with IPC and DLT alone in patients with breast cancer-related ULL. The risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models.

Results: A total of 1,894 citations were identified by the systematic search. Of them, 9 RCTs were included in the analysis. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for percentage volume reduction was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.24 to 1.50; I ² = 90.9%), showing no significant difference between the DLT alone and DLT combined with IPC (p = 0.15). Pain and heaviness scores were also comparable between the groups. However, there was a significant difference in external rotation joint mobility (SMD = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.08-1.16; I ² = 23.8%), favoring DLT with IPC.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DLT with IPC and DLT alone showed similar findings in managing ULL after breast cancer surgery, with DLT with IPC showing a greater impact on external rotation joint mobility. Healthcare providers should consider patient preferences and individual factors when selecting the most appropriate treatment modality for ULL management.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Intermittent pneumatic compression; Lymphedema; Manual lymphatic drainage.

Fig. 1.

Search strategy.

Fig. 2.

Forest plot showing the difference in percentage volume reduction between DLT with IPC and DLT alone.

Fig. 3.

Forest plot showing the difference in pain score between DLT with IPC and DLT alone.

Fig. 4.

Forest plot showing the difference in heaviness score between DLT with IPC and DLT alone.

Fig. 5.

Forest plot showing the difference in joint mobility between DLT with IPC and DLT alone for abduction (a), flexion (b), and external rotation (c).