Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37648875›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2025

Evaluating the effects of lymphoedema management strategies on functional status and health-related quality of life following treatment for head and neck cancer: a systematic review.

Lauren J Mullan, Nicole E Blackburn, Jackie Gracey, Lynn Dunwoody, Jill Lorimer, Cherith J Semple

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
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

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Lymphedema management in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials on physical therapy interventions.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. A New Indocyanine Green Lymphography Protocol for Assessment of Lymphedema in the Head and Neck.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2025
    Article
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.

Lauren J MullanSchool of Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Belfast, UK. Mullan-L1@ulster.ac.uk.
Nicole E BlackburnSchool of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
Jackie GraceySchool of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
Lynn DunwoodySchool of Psychology, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
Jill LorimerPhysiotherapy Department, Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK.
Cherith J SempleSchool of Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Belfast, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePatients living with head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) after completion of head and neck cancer (HNC) often can experience long-term functional challenges and overall poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This systematic review aims to explore components of effective HNL interventions through identification and synthesising literature on existing HNL management interventions.

methodsFive electronic databases (MEDLINE via Ovid and PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Scopus) were systematically searched using Medical Subject Headings and free text, as well as citation tracking and Google Scholar for grey literature.

resultsA total of 1910 studies were screened, with 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Findings indicated vast heterogeneity within HNL interventions. Patients' adherence to intervention strategies was reported as low and partially adhered to, particularly at home. This impacted on function domains and overall HRQOL during the post-treatment HNC phase, as well as further increasing the demands placed on healthcare professionals.

conclusionsSynthesis of the research findings highlighted a need to provide and educate patients with individualised HNL self-management intervention strategies. Promoting adherence was reported as being essential, with self-efficacy and behaviour change techniques being emphasised as a critical element to enhance motivation and therefore effective intervention delivery. Further work is important to address barriers to adherence and promote both motivation and behaviour change, to develop individualised self-management interventions for this cancer population. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The findings from this systematic review will provide guidance in the development and delivery of individualised self-management HNL interventions for patients who have completed HNC treatment.

Indexed as

Functional StatusHead and Neck NeoplasmsLymphedemaQuality of LifeCancer SurvivorsHumansAdherenceCancer survivorshipHead and neck cancerHead and neck lymphoedemaSelf-managementSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID37648875
PMCPMC11813819

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.