The effect of Combined Decongestive Therapy and pneumatic compression pump on body image in patients with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment

Lymphedema is a common complication for breast cancer therapy. Patients with lymphedema may experience pain and body image issues. This study investigates the effect of Combined Decongestive Therapy and pneumatic compression pump on body image in patients with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment.
42 women with breast cancer related lymphedema participated. All patients completed the body image and relationships scale. Researchers divided the participants randomly into an intervention (n=21) or control group (n=21). A certified nurse worked on Combined Decongestive Therapy in the intervention group in two phases. In the first phase, CDT was accompanied along with compression pump for four weeks, three days per week. In the second phase, CDT was performed daily without compression pump for four weeks by patients at home. At the end of each phase, both groups completed the questionaire. Researchers analyzed the data with SPSS v.17.
The total score of the body image and relationships scale in the intervention group increased insignificantly and in the control group increased significantly. In this regard, both groups have statistically significant differences at different phases of study. Gaining a higher score in this questionaire indicates a weaker body image.
Although combined decongestive therapy techniques did not improve the body image in the intervention group, but there is hope for treatment of lymphedema in this group to prevent deterioration in the body image over the time. In the control group who were not treated, the body image became weaker over the time.