Rehabilitation of lymphedema following breast cancer
Abstract
Women with breast cancer are commonly diagnosed with lymphedema. Lymphedema is swelling of the upper extremity caused by surgical removal of lymph nodes and/or radiation therapy. Hispanic women with breast cancer and lymphedema may have health care disparities that affect quality of life. Several authors have identified Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) as a form of treatment intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) on Hispanic Women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Ten Hispanic women with breast cancer and unilateral upper extremity lymphedema volunteered to participate. Each patient was pretested on the following variables. Circumferential girth measurements were taken at 7 sites. Shoulder flexion and abduction muscle strengths and range of motion were assessed by manual muscle testing and goniometric measurement, respectively. Grip strength was measured with hand a dynamometer. Each patient received CDT; which consisted of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), therapeutic exercises, compression therapy, and skin care. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Subject Area
Sports medicine|Oncology|Rehabilitation|Therapy
Recommended Citation
Terrazas, Sandra Guadalupe, "Rehabilitation of lymphedema following breast cancer" (2005). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1427696.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1427696