Current Role of Pneumatic Compression Therapy in Lymphedema Care: A Scoping Review of Persistent Debates and New Applications.

Abstract

Access to trained lymphedema care providers remains limited making patient-driven management solutions essential. One such option, sequential intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), has gained traction as a supportive tool for lymphedema management. While newer IPC devices and innovative applications are being introduced to the market, questions regarding the safety and efficacy of this technology persist. This underscores the importance of reviewing current literature to understand IPC's evolving role in lymphedema care and to identify existing knowledge gaps. A scoping review of literature was conducted across various databases using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The eligibility criteria included articles published in English language from database's inception to June 2023, discussing IPC's safety, and/or efficacy, and/or optimal modes and settings for lymphedema management. Review articles and case reports and original studies with unclear outcome measures were excluded. The review identified 49 eligible studies from an initial pool of 614 articles, consisting of 12 randomized controlled trials, 25 cohort studies, and 12 experimental studies. Most studies (44) focused on limb lymphedema, while five examined non-limb regions. Sample sizes varied widely, ranging from 10 to 718 participants, reflecting differences in studies' power. Minor adverse events were reported in six studies, including transient skin irritation, paresthesia, and rare cases of genital edema. Efficacy data indicated that IPC, whether used with or without manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), improved limb volume, quality of life, and reduced infection rates, although results varied according to treatment protocols and limb type. The addition of IPC improved compliance of decongestive therapy and increased patient satisfaction. IPC sessions ranged from 45 to 120 minutes per day, conducted 3 to 7 days per week, with pressures set at 60 to 120 mmHg for lower limbs and 25 to 60 mmHg for upper limbs. Higher pressures were associated with more significant limb volume reduction in the lower limbs. A cost analysis indicated that IPC could potentially lead to healthcare savings by reducing infections and hospital admissions. IPC application also showed promising results in head and neck lymphedema, though results for trunk lymphedema were equivocal. Future research should aim to refine IPC protocols in different regions of the body and ascertain its long-term benefits.