Decongestive therapy adherence and quality of life in breast cancer-related lymphedema: A narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i9.1322Keywords:
Breast Cancer Lymphedema; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Self Care; Quality of Life; Physical Therapy Modalities.Abstract
Introduction: Edema reduction after breast cancer treatment does not necessarily imply functional recovery or improved quality of life. Objective: To analyze evidence on complex decongestive therapy, adherence, function, and quality of life in breast cancer-related lymphedema. Methods: A narrative review using PubMed searches, updated on October 5, 2026, and reference screening. Publications from 2021 to 2026 were prioritized; earlier sources were retained for benchmark therapeutic comparisons, exercise safety assessment, instrument properties, or guideline recommendations. Results: Twenty-four publications and one supplementary registry record were included. In the trial by Dayes et al., superiority of decongestive therapy over compression garments was not demonstrated for the primary percentage outcome. In the multicenter trial involving chronic lymphedema, manual lymphatic drainage provided no relevant additional volume benefit alongside compression, exercise, education, and skin care. Nighttime compression and exercise showed favorable results for specific outcomes, without uniform quality-of-life improvements. Practical and social barriers affected adherence; education and digital support showed promising results, with limitations in follow-up and generalizability. Conclusion: Individualized compression and progressive exercise are supported by a clinical practice guideline. Assessing barriers and monitoring self-care performance are clinical implications of integrating the studies, without demonstrated superiority of a single model. Edema, function, quality of life, and the sustainability of self-care are related but noninterchangeable dimensions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rafael Viana dos Santos Coutinho, Ellen Araujo Santos, Ludimila Furlan Rodrigues de Morais, Marina Silva Atkinson, Mel Vitória Gama Gurgel (Autor)
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