Association Between Lymphedema Self-Care Adherence and Lymphedema Outcomes Among Women with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Content Provider	Scilit
Author	Brown, Justin C. Kumar, Anagha Cheville, Andrea L. Tchou, Julia C. Troxel, Andrea B. Harris, Susan R. Schmitz, Kathryn H.
Copyright Year	2015
Description	Journal: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether adherence to self-care modalities for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) predicts BCRL outcomes among 128 breast cancer survivors who participated in the 12-mo physical activity and lymphedema trial. Design This was a prospective cohort study. Adherence to ten BCRL self-care modalities, as recommended in the clinical practice guidelines for the management of BCRL, was assessed by a questionnaire at baseline. BCRL outcomes assessed at baseline and 12 mos included volumetry, circumferences, bioimpedence spectroscopy, the Norman lymphedema survey, and therapist-defined lymphedema exacerbations requiring treatment. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the relationship between adherence to BCRL self-care modalities and the likelihood of experiencing a BCRL outcome. Results Adherence to BCRL self-care activities did not predict experiencing any BCRL outcomes at 12 mos. Levels of adherence to BCRL self-care modalities did not predict a 5% or greater decrease in interlimb volume (Ptrend = 0.79), 5% or greater decrease in the sum of interlimb arm circumferences (Ptrend = 0.47), 10% or greater decrease in bioimpedence spectroscopy (Ptrend = 0.83), 1 or greater decrease in self-reported lymphedema symptoms (Ptrend = 0.91), or therapist-defined lymphedema exacerbation requiring treatment (Ptrend = 0.84). Conclusions Our findings suggest that levels of BCRL self-care adherence do not predict BCRL outcomes among breast cancer survivors with stable lymphedema who were followed for 12 mos.
Related Links	http://europepmc.org/articles/pmc4344918?pdf=render https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4344918/pdf
Ending Page	296
Page Count	9
Starting Page	288
ISSN	08949115
e-ISSN	15377385
DOI	10.1097/phm.0000000000000178
Journal	American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Issue Number	4
Volume Number	94
Language	English
Publisher	Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publisher Date	2015-04-01
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Journal: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinical Guidelines
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Sports Science