The Effication of Low-Level Laser Therapy, Kinesio Taping, and Endermology on Post-Mastectomy Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
PubMed 39611899 · doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.11.3771
What was done
Researchers performed a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating low-level laser therapy (LLLT), Kinesio taping, and endermology for post-mastectomy breast cancer-related lymphedema. Studies were identified through database searches, evaluated for quality using Cochrane risk-of-bias tools, and quantitatively analyzed using fixed- and random-effects models.
What was found
Eighteen randomized trials were included. Arm volume reduction was significantly greater in the overall intervention group (MD = 76.27; 95% CI: 33.84 to 118.69), the LLLT subgroup (MD = 91.98; 95% CI: 41.99 to 141.97), and the endermology subgroup (MD = 34.61; 95% CI: 20.81 to 48.41). No significant differences were observed for arm circumference reduction or pain scale outcomes, overall or within individual therapy subgroups.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that adjunct therapies such as LLLT and endermology can augment arm volume reduction beyond conventional care, though they may not reliably improve subjective pain or circumferential limb measurements.
Limits
The total number of randomized participants and specific quantitative findings for Kinesio taping are omitted from the abstract. Units of measurement for volume reduction are not specified, and the clinical relevance of volume reduction without concomitant improvements in arm circumference or pain remains uncertain.