The effects of osteopathic treatment of lymphoedema secondary to lumpectomy and axillary node dissection.
Item
- Title
- The effects of osteopathic treatment of lymphoedema secondary to lumpectomy and axillary node dissection.
- Author(s)
- Hersey, M
- Abstract
- Background: Breast cancer five year survivor rates are increasing and a significant percentage of survivors are suffering from Lymphoedema. This is causing the management of patients with this condition to be highlighted. The condition is not fully understood and can have a dramatic and debilitating effect on patients' quality of life. Objective: The objective is to investigate the potential role of osteopathic treatment on quality of life, pain levels and swelling, in a patient with secondary Lymphoedema. Design: Single case study (ABAB). Method: Patient was a female with unilateral secondary lymph following breast cancer. Patient was under annual check-'up with a consultant and had not undergone any treatment for lymphedema. During four phases, over 12 weeks, 12 treatment sessions were designed to address the functioning of the individual’s compromised lymphatic system. The quantitative outcome measures assessed were measurements of swelling, numerical rating scale of pain (NRS), specific lymphoedema quality of life tool (LYMQoL). Graphic analysis was completed to provide visual representation of the subject's outcomes before, during and after intervention, a statistical process control (SPC) was run. Results: The NRS of pain showed a statistically significant reduction in pain levels recorded over the 4 phases of the study. No statistical significance was found for LYMQoL measure but a positive trend was indicated. The sub- groups showed no statistically significant change. A slight reduction in the measurements of swelling was indicted but was not of statistical significance. Patient reported they benefited from treatment and their level of pain intensity reduced overall. Discussion: The implication of these findings supports existing research that a manual therapy approach to lymphoedema can reduce patient's pain levels. No statistical significance was found for levels of swelling overall or quality of life (overall and sub- groups), this was due to methodological flaw of the amount of data gathered. A positive trend was indicated in these outcome measures, which supports previous research. Conclusion: Individuals with secondary lymphoedema can benefit from a reduction in pain levels from receiving osteopathic treatment aimed at improving the overall functioning of the lymphatic system.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2015
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 16:54:59
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15896
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Lymphoedema, Osteopathy, Single-Case, Pain
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Hersey, M, “The effects of osteopathic treatment of lymphoedema secondary to lumpectomy and axillary node dissection.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/585