Long-Term Effectiveness of Combined Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Plus Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients with Postmastectomy Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Upper limb lymphedema may be revealed after breast cancer and its treatment. Among different treatment approaches, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are reported as effective modalities in the treatment of postmastectomy upper limb lymphedema (PML). The aim of the current study is to investigate the long-term effectiveness of combined IPC plus LLLT versus IPC therapy alone in patients with PML. <b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b> The patients were allocated into two groups in this single-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Group I received combined treatment with IPC plus LLLT (<i>n</i> = 21) and group II received only IPC (<i>n</i> = 21). IPC treatment was given 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions). LLLT was also performed 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions). Clinical evaluations were performed before and after the treatment at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up visits. According to within-group analysis, statistically significant improvements in the circumference difference (<i>C</i>_diff) and grip strength were observed in both groups (for <i>C</i>_diff, <i>p</i> = 0.018 and <i>p</i> = 0.032, respectively; for grip strength, <i>p</i> = 0.001 and <i>p</i> = 0.046, respectively). Visual analog scale values for arm pain and shoulder pain during motion were decreased only in group I. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Both interventions have positive effects on lymphedema, grip strength, and pain. Long-term effects of combined therapy, especially on pain, are slightly superior to the pneumatic compression alone.