Evidence map›Paper›PMID 23803270›Full record

Trial reportOncology nursing forum2013

A pilot randomized trial evaluating low-level laser therapy as an alternative treatment to manual lymphatic drainage for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Sheila H Ridner, Ellen Poage-Hooper, Collin Kanar, Jennifer K Doersam, Stewart M Bond, Mary S Dietrich

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Oncology nursing forum, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 13 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed, 13 pooled it
3.5field-weighted citation impact, top 7% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed, 13 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 79 citations in OpenAlex.

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  6. Cost-effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention and management of cancer treatment toxicities: a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2021
    Pooled it
  7. Manual lymphatic drainage treatment for lymphedema: a systematic review of the literature.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2021
    Pooled it
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  9. Manual lymphatic drainage and quality of life in patients with lymphoedema and mixed oedema: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2018
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Sheila H RidnerSchool of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. sheila.ridner@vanderbilt.edu
Ellen Poage-Hooper
Collin Kanar
Jennifer K Doersam
Stewart M Bond
Mary S Dietrich
Naples Anesthesia & Physician Associates · USVanderbilt University · USBoston College · US

Funding

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY CTSA FOR PEDIATRIC RESEARCHUL1RR024975 · NCRR · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · PI BERNARD, GORDON RAPHAEL · 2007 to 2011
$45.7M
NCRR NIH HHS UL1 RR024975NCRR NIH HHS UL 1RR024975
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

PURPOSE/

objectivesTo examine the impact of advanced practice nurse (APN)-administered low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as both a stand-alone and complementary treatment for arm volume, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

designA three-group, pilot, randomized clinical trial.

settingA private rehabilitation practice in the southeastern United States. SAMPLE: 46 breast cancer survivors with treatment-related lymphedema.

methodsPatients were screened for eligibility and then randomized to either manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for 40 minutes, LLLT for 20 minutes, or 20 minutes of MLD followed by 20 minutes of LLLT. Compression bandaging was applied after each treatment. Data were collected pretreatment, daily, weekly, and at the end of treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Independent variables consisted of three types of APN-administered lymphedema treatment. Outcome variables included limb volume, extracellular fluid, psychological and physical symptoms, and QOL.

findingsNo statistically significant between-group differences were found in volume reduction; however, all groups had clinically and statistically significant reduction in volume. No group differences were noted in psychological and physical symptoms or QOL; however, treatment-related improvements were noted in symptom burden within all groups. Skin improvement was noted in each group that received LLLT.

conclusionsLLLT with bandaging may offer a time-saving therapeutic option to conventional MLD. Alternatively, compression bandaging alone could account for the demonstrated volume reduction. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: APNs can effectively treat lymphedema. APNs in private healthcare practices can serve as valuable research collaborators. KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION: Lasers may provide effective, less burdensome treatment for lymphedema. APNs with lymphedema certification can effectively treat this patient population with the use of LLLT. In addition, bioelectrical impedance and tape measurements can be used to assess lymphedema.

Indexed as

AgedBandagesBreast NeoplasmsDrainageFemaleHumansLow-Level Light TherapyLymphedemaMiddle AgedMusculoskeletal ManipulationsOncology NursingPilot ProjectsPsychological TestsQuality of LifeTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID23803270
PMCPMC3887507
OpenAlexW1975932364

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.