Justification of the role of rehabilitation assistance in lymphedema of the upper extremities based on foreign experience (a literature review)

Solomiia Kopytko; Olha Bas; Andriy Hrynkiv; Andriy Vovkanych; Myroslava Hrynkiv

doi:10.15391/prrht.2025-10(1).04

Authors

Solomiia Kopytko Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskyj, Lviv State Regional oncology treatment and diagnostic Center, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9967-1183
Olha Bas Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskyj, Lviv State Regional oncology treatment and diagnostic Center, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2328-3093
Andriy Hrynkiv Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskyj, Lviv State Regional oncology treatment and diagnostic Center, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9216-9998
Andriy Vovkanych Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskyj, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1628-4699
Myroslava Hrynkiv Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskyj, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8727-110X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2025-10(1).04

Keywords:

lymphedema, physical exercises, manual lymphatic drainage, bandaging

Abstract

Purpose. Lymphedema is a chronic condition of the lymphatic system that results from impaired lymphatic drainage. In adult practice, secondary lymphedema, which arises as a consequence of the treatment of oncological diseases, notably breast cancer, is predominant. One of the most common types is upper limb lymphedema. This condition is characterized by swelling, a sensation of heaviness in the limb, pain, and limited range of motion. According to various statistics, regardless of the chosen treatment methods, edema develops in 10% to 80% of breast cancer patients. The issue of timely rehabilitation for patients with lymphatic edema of the extremities remains relevant due to the widespread prevalence of this condition and its severe complications.

Material & Methods. General scientific: analysis, synthesis, generalization. The search was conducted in electronic databases PubMed/MedLine, PEDRo, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Cochrane Library.

Results. The rehabilitation program for lymphedema was developed quite a long time ago, and today there are many rehabilitation methods. However, discussions about the main components of oncological rehabilitation are still ongoing. Clinical studies from different countries of the world were included in the review. A total of 10 completed studies and one ongoing study were analyzed. The most points on the PEDRo scale were obtained by studies related to physical exercises and various elements of complex therapy. Two studies scored an overall score of 8 out of 10, five studies scored 7 out of 10, and the other studies scored 6, 5, and 4, respectively.

Conclusions. In recent years, the number of studies on the topic of lymphedema is increasing. New and established rehabilitation methods are being tested in research. There is a tendency to use only proven and effective means and methods of rehabilitation.

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