Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29216916›Full record

SynthesisBMC cancer2017

Low level laser therapy (Photobiomodulation therapy) for breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review.

G David Baxter, Lizhou Liu, Simone Petrich, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Cathy Chapple, Juanita J Anders, Steve Tumilty

2 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 52 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
52citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
6.4field-weighted citation impact, top 3% 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.

NCT06415396 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LLLT) Added to Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) on Extremity Volume, Pain Intensity, Functional Status and Quality of Life in Patients With Postmastectomy Stage 2 Lymphedema

TypeinterventionalSponsorAnkara City Hospital BilkentRan2021 to 2023Enrolled66ConditionsLymphedema, Breast CancerArmsComplete Decongestive Therapy, ESWT, LLLT
NCT07072780 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of a Novel Low-level Laser Therapy Protocol in Managing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

TypeinterventionalSponsorPusan National University HospitalRan2023 to 2024Enrolled46ConditionsBreast CancerArmsLow-Level Laser Therapy (904 nm), Low-Level Laser Therapy (650 nm), Sham Laser Therapy
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

52 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 140 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  5. Is photobiomodulation therapy effective in reducing pain caused by toxicities related to head and neck cancer treatment? A systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2019
    Pooled it
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  7. Trial
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  9. Low-Intensity Resistance Training and Compression Garment in the Management of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education · 2020
    Trial
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  15. Long-pulsed 1064-nm neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser alleviates rosacea by improving lymphatic vessel dysfunction.Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] · 2025
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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

7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

G David BaxterCentre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. david.baxter@otago.ac.nz.
Lizhou LiuCentre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Simone PetrichDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Angela Spontelli GisselmanCentre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Cathy ChappleCentre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Juanita J AndersDepartment of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Maryland, MD, USA.
Steve TumiltyCentre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
University of Otago · NZSouthern District Health Board · NZUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is a prevalent complication secondary to cancer treatments which significantly impacts the physical and psychological health of breast cancer survivors. Previous research shows increasing use of low level laser therapy (LLLT), now commonly referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, for BCRL. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of LLLT (PBM) in the management of BCRL.

methodsClinical trials were searched in PubMed, AMED, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to November 2016. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality and adequacy of LLLT (PBM) in these clinical trials. Primary outcome measures were limb circumference/volume, and secondary outcomes included pain intensity and range of motion. Because data were clinically heterogeneous, best evidence synthesis was performed.

resultsEleven clinical trials were identified, of which seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were chosen for analysis. Overall, the methodological quality of included RCTs was high, whereas the reporting of treatment parameters was poor. Results indicated that there is strong evidence (three high quality trials) showing LLLT (PBM) was more effective than sham treatment for limb circumference/volume reduction at a short-term follow-up. There is moderate evidence (one high quality trial) indicating that LLLT (PBM) was more effective than sham laser for short-term pain relief, and limited evidence (one low quality trial) that LLLT (PBM) was more effective than no treatment for decreasing limb swelling at short-term follow-up.

conclusionsBased upon the current systematic review, LLLT (PBM) may be considered an effective treatment approach for women with BCRL. Due to the limited numbers of published trials available, there is a clear need for well-designed high-quality trials in this area. The optimal treatment parameters for clinical application have yet to be elucidated.

Indexed as

Low-Level Light TherapyBreast Cancer LymphedemaFemaleHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicBreast cancer related lymphedemaLow level laser therapyPhotobiomodulationSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID29216916
PMCPMC5719569
OpenAlexW2774338745

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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.