The Randomized Controlled Study of Low-Level Laser Therapy, Kinesio-Taping and Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Patients With Stage II Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objective: To compare the effects of low-level laser therapy, kinesio-taping and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on the affected arm volume, quality of life, arm function, neuropathic pain and shoulder mobility in patients with stage II breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Materials and methods: Forty-five breast cancer patients with stage II lymphedema were included. The patients were randomized to three groups and treated with MLD, kinesio-taping or low-level laser therapy. After these different therapeutic modalities, all patients received multilayer compression bandaging, lymphedema remedial exercises, skin care, and a patient education program by the same lymphedema therapist. All treatments were applied 5-days a week for three weeks. The lymphedema compression garments were prescribed to all patients and follow-up visits were planned at the end of the treatment, and at four and 12 weeks. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated by volumetric calculations based on circumferential measurements using the formula for a truncated cone, in addition to goniometric assessments for shoulder joint ROM, and questionnaires: Quick-disability of arm, shoulder and hand for arm disability; pain-detect for neuropathic pain; and quality of life for arm lymphedema (LYMQOL-arm).

Results: The baseline patient and disease characteristics, and outcome measures were similar between groups. All treatment modalities were found to be effective in decreasing arm volume, and improving quality of life, upper extremity disability and neuropathic pain. The percentage of decreased arm volume or treatment success was better in kinesio-taping group than in the MLD group at the end of the treatment, and at four and 12 weeks after treatment (p = 0.009, p = 0.039, and p = 0.042, respectively).

Conclusion: Kinesio-taping led to better results than MLD and was similarly effective compared with low-level laser in stage II breast cancer-related lymphedema at the twelfth week of follow-up. Kinesio-taping and low-level laser should be considered as alternative treatments in early-moderate stages of lymphedema. After these modalities, multi-layer compression and compression bandaging remain cornerstones of lymphedema treatment.