Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorCobbe, Sinead
dc.contributor.authorNugent, Kathy
dc.contributor.authorReal, Shirley
dc.date.accessioned2018-02-16T18:51:05Z
dc.date.available2018-02-16T18:51:05Z
dc.date.issued2017-12-05
dc.identifier.citationPilot Study: The Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer. 2017 J Palliat Meden
dc.identifier.issn1557-7740
dc.identifier.pmid29206073
dc.identifier.doi10.1089/jpm.2017.0235
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/622798
dc.descriptionBACKGROUND: Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a regimen of physical treatment for lymphedema. Its effectiveness is unknown in advanced cancer patients. This study evaluates effectiveness of CDT in this population. METHOD: This is a prospective observational cohort study for 18 months of advanced cancer patients with lymphedema, who received three or more CDT interventions. Measurements were taken before the first (T1), third (T3), and sixth (T6) treatments as follows: limb volume using circumferential measurements, quality of life (QOL) using qualitative questions, skin quality using a locally developed scale measuring color, thickness, and texture. The treating physiotherapists collected data. Analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. RESULTS: Twelve patients, age range 42-73 years (median 69.5) were included. Survival from last recorded treatment ranged from 3 to 262 days (median 40). At T3 (n = 21 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Wilcoxin Signed Rank Test Z = -2.5, p = 0.01, r = 0.5). At T6 (n = 13 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Z = -2.4, p = 0.013, r = 0.66). At both time points, there were significant reductions in abnormal skin thickness and surface, but not color. Improvements occurred independent of volume changes. QOL changes included better function, improved limb aesthetics, and less pain and tightness. CONCLUSION: For the first time, this study shows that CDT is effective for a cohort of palliative cancer patients with limited survival. Improvements in limb volume, skin quality, and lymphedema-related QOL were recorded. Valid skin and QOL measures need to be developed. Larger, blinded trials need to be conducted to determine which patients benefit from CDT.en
dc.description.abstractComplex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a regimen of physical treatment for lymphedema. Its effectiveness is unknown in advanced cancer patients. This study evaluates effectiveness of CDT in this population.
dc.description.abstractThis is a prospective observational cohort study for 18 months of advanced cancer patients with lymphedema, who received three or more CDT interventions. Measurements were taken before the first (T1), third (T3), and sixth (T6) treatments as follows: limb volume using circumferential measurements, quality of life (QOL) using qualitative questions, skin quality using a locally developed scale measuring color, thickness, and texture. The treating physiotherapists collected data. Analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.
dc.description.abstractTwelve patients, age range 42-73 years (median 69.5) were included. Survival from last recorded treatment ranged from 3 to 262 days (median 40). At T3 (n = 21 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Wilcoxin Signed Rank Test Z = -2.5, p = 0.01, r = 0.5). At T6 (n = 13 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Z = -2.4, p = 0.013, r = 0.66). At both time points, there were significant reductions in abnormal skin thickness and surface, but not color. Improvements occurred independent of volume changes. QOL changes included better function, improved limb aesthetics, and less pain and tightness.
dc.description.abstractFor the first time, this study shows that CDT is effective for a cohort of palliative cancer patients with limited survival. Improvements in limb volume, skin quality, and lymphedema-related QOL were recorded. Valid skin and QOL measures need to be developed. Larger, blinded trials need to be conducted to determine which patients benefit from CDT.
dc.language.isoenen
dc.rightsArchived with thanks to Journal of palliative medicineen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/*
dc.subjectAdvanced canceren
dc.subjectPALLIATIVE CAREen
dc.subjectLymphoedemaen
dc.subjectComplex decongestive therapyen
dc.titlePilot Study: The Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer.en
dc.typeArticleen
dc.contributor.departmentMilford Care Centre, Limericken
dc.identifier.journalJournal of Palliative Medicineen
refterms.dateFOA2018-08-28T01:43:03Z
html.description.abstractComplex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a regimen of physical treatment for lymphedema. Its effectiveness is unknown in advanced cancer patients. This study evaluates effectiveness of CDT in this population.
html.description.abstractThis is a prospective observational cohort study for 18 months of advanced cancer patients with lymphedema, who received three or more CDT interventions. Measurements were taken before the first (T1), third (T3), and sixth (T6) treatments as follows: limb volume using circumferential measurements, quality of life (QOL) using qualitative questions, skin quality using a locally developed scale measuring color, thickness, and texture. The treating physiotherapists collected data. Analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.
html.description.abstractTwelve patients, age range 42-73 years (median 69.5) were included. Survival from last recorded treatment ranged from 3 to 262 days (median 40). At T3 (n = 21 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Wilcoxin Signed Rank Test Z = -2.5, p = 0.01, r = 0.5). At T6 (n = 13 limbs), volume reduction was significant (Z = -2.4, p = 0.013, r = 0.66). At both time points, there were significant reductions in abnormal skin thickness and surface, but not color. Improvements occurred independent of volume changes. QOL changes included better function, improved limb aesthetics, and less pain and tightness.
html.description.abstractFor the first time, this study shows that CDT is effective for a cohort of palliative cancer patients with limited survival. Improvements in limb volume, skin quality, and lymphedema-related QOL were recorded. Valid skin and QOL measures need to be developed. Larger, blinded trials need to be conducted to determine which patients benefit from CDT.


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name:
EffectivenessComplexDecongesti ...
Size:
469.7Kb
Format:
PDF

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Archived with thanks to Journal of palliative medicine
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Archived with thanks to Journal of palliative medicine