Effectiveness of Cold Compression Therapy versus Multi-Waved Locked System Laser on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema: Randomized Controlled Trial

Mohamed H.  ElGendy; Sherine O. El-Sherif; Mohamed A. Abolkasem; Shreen R. Aboelmagd; Yasser R. Lasheen

doi:10.15391/prrht.2025-10(2).01

Authors

Mohamed H. ElGendy Department of Basic Sciences Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9996-5344
Sherine O. El-Sherif Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Egypt https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9822-6666
Mohamed A. Abolkasem Department of Clinical Oncology, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5354-1569
Shreen R. Aboelmagd Department of Woman Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9849-8445
Yasser R. Lasheen Department of Basic Sciences Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3547-3885

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2025-10(2).01

Keywords:

Breast Cancer-related Lymphoedema, Cold Compression Therapy, Multi-waved Locked System Laser, Lymphoscintigraphy

Abstract

Purpose. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Cold Compression Therapy and Multi-Waved Locked System Laser on lymphatic flow, volumetric measurements, and quality of life in breast cancer-related lymphoedema patients. Breast cancer-related lymphoedema is a long-term health problem that often causes pain and disability and interferes with daily activities. It may occur after treatment for breast cancer by surgery and radiation therapy. If left untreated, it can have long-term medical and psychological consequences for patients.

Material & Methods. Sixty-six females with breast cancer-related lymphoedema, with a mean age of 37.4 ± 5.39 years, participated in the study. Subjects were randomly divided into three equal groups using simple randomization via the closed-envelope technique. Group A, consisting of twenty-two female patients, received class 4 multi-wave locked system laser and conventional treatment. Group B, also composed of twenty-two female patients, received cold compression therapy and conventional treatment. Group C, the control group, received conventional treatment only. The three groups were assessed using lymphoscintigraphy for lymphatic flow, measuring tape for limb volume, and the Lymphoedema Life Impact Scale (LLIS) for health-related quality of life assessment. Assessments were conducted before and after treatment.

Results. The results indicated that Group B showed statistically significant improvement over Group A in lymphoscintigraphy (p<0.001), limb volume (p<0.001), and LLIS questionnaire (p<0.001). Group B also showed statistically significant improvement over Group C in lymphoscintigraphy (p<0.001), limb volume (p<0.001), and LLIS questionnaire (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between Group A and Group C.

Conclusions. Cold compression therapy significantly improved limb volume and circumference, lymphatic flow, and health-related quality of life in patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphoedema compared to the multi-wave locked system laser and conventional treatment.

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