Resistance training in patients with secondary lymphoedema: does it have any effect on functional and quality of life measures?

The inclusion of resistance training in the care of patients with upper limb lymphoedema is an understudied developing concept. The study investigated the safety and effectiveness of adding a moderate/high intensity resisted exercise (RE) programme for 6 weeks on arm circumference, muscular strength and quality of life (QoL) measure in patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. This study included 35 patients with a history of breast cancer who were in phase two of their lymphoedema rehabilitation. They were assigned to either the intervention (n=18) or control (n=17) groups. The intervention consisted of resistance band exercises four times a week for 6 weeks. Limb circumference measurements, muscular strength, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Lymphoedema Quality of Life (LYMQOL) questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant differences (p<0.01) in the DASH and LYMQOL scores. There was a significant change in UL and LL strength between both groups (p<0.05). Unexpectedly, there was a significant decrease in UL measurements in the hand, forearm, elbow and proximal arm in the intervention group (p<0.05). The results indicate that RE demonstrates a positive effect on arm function, symptoms and QoL without increasing arm volume in breast cancer-related lymphoedema.