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Investigation of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Arm Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients: A Noninvasive Treatment for an Intractable Morbidity Publisher



Farhan F1 ; Samei M1 ; Abdshah A2, 3 ; Kazemian A1 ; Shahriarian S4 ; Amouzegarhashemi F1 ; Farzin M5 ; Ghalehtaki R1 ; Jafari F1, 6 ; Cuccia F7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Radiation Oncology Research Center (RORC), Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
  4. 4. Department of Radiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Brain and spinal cord injury research center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Advanced Radiation Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Veneto, Negrar, Italy

Source: Health Science Reports Published:2023


Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to study the effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on arm lymphedema in patients who have breast cancer. Methods and Materials: Twenty-three patients were selected in a nonrandomized phase-2 clinical trial. After measuring the circumference of the affected and unaffected limbs at 6-points, the volume of the limbs, the degree of mental symptoms on visual analog scale by the patient upon entering the study, and performing an ultrasound on the patient's axilla to locate the fibrotic areas, a low-level laser device at a therapeutic dose of 2 J/cm2 was used to treat the patients three times a week for 4 weeks, and after an 8-week gap, for another similar period. Measurement of circumference and volume of affected and unaffected limbs and mental symptoms were carried out at the end of the 4th week, the beginning of the 12th week, and the end of the 16th week, and the obtained results were compared with those before the treatment. Results: We noted that the average reductions in the circumference and volume of the affected limb, as compared with the unaffected limb, were about 16% and 21.7%, respectively, and improvement in the patient's mental symptoms was about 32%. Another notable observation was the great enthusiasm of most patients to continue their treatment, particularly from the second cycle onward. Conclusions: LLLT can, at least in association with current standard methods, be used for arm lymphedema to introduce further reductions in pain and volume. © 2023 The Authors. Health Science Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.