Background 

Compression therapy is a common method for treating breast cancer–related lymphedema. However, no specific evidence exists to guide practitioners on the morbidity of lymphedema, limb volume, and range of motion.

Objective 

The aims of this study were to compare the effects of compression therapy and routine nursing during the treatment of breast cancer–related lymphedema and to provide a basis for better clinical decision-making.

Methods 

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched through January 21, 2021. Meta-analysis and description of the outcomes were performed by using the RevMan 5.3 software.

Results 

A total of 17 studies were included. A meta-analysis of 13 studies was conducted. The experimental group had a lower morbidity of lymphedema, the difference was significant, and there was no heterogeneity (P < .05; odds ratio, 0.35, I² = 31%). There was no significant difference between the experimental group and control group in limb volume, and there was significant heterogeneity (P = .44, mean difference = 4.51, I² = 85%). Regarding range of motion, the standardized mean difference of shoulder adduction, shoulder lift, shoulder abduction, and shoulder extension were 1.37, 0.69, 0.56, and 0.87, respectively, and the differences were significant; there was heterogeneity (P < .05, I² = 92%).

Conclusions 

Compression therapy can reduce the morbidity of lymphedema and improve limb movement, but the effect on limb volume needs to be further explored.

Implication for Practice 

In terms of therapeutic effectiveness and limb function, the results provide evidence that physicians can reduce the morbidity of lymphedema, reduce the degree of limb, and increase limb mobility by applying compression therapy.

中文翻译：

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乳腺癌患者的加压疗法：随机对照试验的荟萃分析

背景 

加压疗法是治疗乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿的常用方法。然而，没有具体的证据来指导从业者关于淋巴水肿的发病率、肢体体积和活动范围。

客观的 

本研究的目的是比较加压疗法和常规护理在治疗乳腺癌相关淋巴水肿期间的效果，并为更好的临床决策提供依据。

方法 

检索 PubMed、Cochrane Library、EMBASE、Web of Science、CBM、CNKI、万方和 VIP 数据库至 2021 年 1 月 21 日。使用 RevMan 5.3 软件进行荟萃分析和结果描述。

结果 

共纳入 17 项研究。对 13 项研究进行了荟萃分析。实验组淋巴水肿发病率较低，差异显着，无异质性（P < .05；比值比，0.35，I ² = 31%）。实验组与对照组肢体体积无显着差异，异质性显着（P =.44，均数差=4.51，I ² = 85%）。在活动度方面，肩内收、肩上提、肩外展、肩伸展的标准化平均差分别为1.37、0.69、0.56和0.87，差异有显着性；存在异质性 ( P < .05,我² = 92%）。

结论 

加压疗法可以降低淋巴水肿的发病率，改善肢体运动，但对肢体体积的影响有待进一步探索。

对实践的启示 

在治疗效果和肢体功能方面，这些结果提供了证据，证明医生可以通过应用加压疗法来降低淋巴水肿的发病率、减轻肢体程度并增加肢体活动度。