Shao, Y., Qi, K., Zhou, Q.H., & Zhong, D.S. (2014). Intermittent pneumatic compression pump for breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Oncology Research and Treatment, 37, 170–174.

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To compare the profiles of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) pumps for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema and provide evidence for clinical decisions based on individual data from randomized controlled trials 
 
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library
 
KEYWORDS: Lymphedema, lymphoedema
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Breast neoplasms, breast carcinoma, breast cancer, and mammary neoplasms; patients with a prior history of treatment of breast carcinoma and lymphedema defined as an absolute increase in arm volume of at least 10% or 2 cm between the affected and unaffected arms
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Relevant articles published before 1990 or after December 20, 2013

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: A total of 1,663 references were retrieved. Of these, 1,656 studies were excluded because of irrelevant content, repeated content, nonrandomization, or a lack of inclusion criteria. Only seven randomized, controlled trials were included.
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Each trial was classified into category A, B, or C following the criteria set out in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions with the aim of estimating the selection, performance, attrition, and detection biases.

Sample Characteristics

FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 7 (3 meta-analyses)
 
TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW: 287 
 
SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 23–112 patients
 
KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema and a prior history of treatment of breast carcinoma and lymphedema, defined as an absolute increase in arm volume of at least 10% or 2 cm between the affected and unaffected arms.

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship
 
APPLICATIONS: Elder care

Results

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that the use of IPC pumps could alleviate lymphedema, but no significant difference between the routine management of lymphedema with or without pneumatic pump existed.

Conclusions

Current trials fail to show the effectiveness of the addition of IPC pumps to the routine management of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Limitations

  • There were very few studies included in this review.
  • The quality of the trials included in the review was relatively low, and its conclusions need to be regarded with caution.

Nursing Implications

More rigorously designed studies are needed to replicate this study's findings. Large-sample, multisite studies are needed to confirm this study's findings.  

Legacy ID

4902