1Lato-Sensu course in Rehabilitation of Lymphedema of the Medical School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP).
2Livre Docente of the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of the Medical School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP).
Lymphedema is one of the main complications seen after breast cancer treatment. Clinical treatment of lymphedema has been recommended as the main approach over the last few years in which an association of therapies is suggested and recently, several forms of treatment.
The objective of the current study was to evaluate the reduction in edema associated with myolymphokinetic exercises using a non-elastic contention sleeve (‘gorgurão’) in patients suffering from lymphedema of the upper limbs.
Twelve female patients, who were being treated for lymphedema of the arms, were selected to continue their myolymphokinetic activities using non-elastic contention sleeves daily during a period of 30 days. Their ages ranged between 32 and 76 years with a mean of 52,6 years. They were assessed using displacement of water before and after the 30-day treatment program. Statistical analysis was achieved using the paired student t-test with an alpha error of 5% considered acceptable.
Analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the volumetric evaluations before and after the treatment period (p-value = 0.001).
In conclusion, myolymphokinetic activities associated with a ‘gorgurão’ sleeve as a contention mechanism can contribute in reducing the size of arms in the treatment of lymphedema.
Myolymphokinetic, activities, lymphedema, treatment, upper limbs
