Observational studyPloS one2025
Outcomes of complex decongestive therapy in managing upper limb lymphedema in female breast cancer patients at a palliative care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.
Observational study in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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.
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.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Factors Associated with Clinically Meaningful Pain Reduction Following Phase-I Complex Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Observational
- Management of physical activity using a wearable device during intensive decongestive therapy in patient with lower limb lymphedema: a case report.Journal of physical therapy science · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLymphedema is a chronic condition that significantly affects both physical function and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Although there is no definitive cure, various treatment options exist to alleviate its symptoms. Among these, Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is widely regarded as a primary approach. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of CDT for breast cancer patients with upper limb lymphedema and aims to assess the benefits of this treatment despite the challenges and constraints in resource-limited settings.
methodsThis observational study was conducted among 42 female breast cancer patients with unilateral upper limb lymphedema attending the Lymphedema Clinic of the Department of Palliative Medicine at Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Limb volume, skin condition, and clinical signs and symptoms were assessed at baseline. All patients received the intensive phase of Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) for 6 weeks, with follow-up assessments conducted at the 3rd week and the 6th week.
resultA significant reduction in the volume of the affected limbs was observed from baseline to the 6th week, as well as from the 3rd week to the 6th week. Although no statistically significant improvement in skin edema was recorded during this period, visible clinical improvement in skin texture was noted. After receiving CDT and proper skin care, 59.5% of patients regained normal skin on the affected limb. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in self-reported symptoms such as tightness, heaviness, and pain in the affected limb from baseline to the 6th week.
conclusionLymphedema management using all components of Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) was found to be effective in reducing limb volume and alleviating the distressing symptoms of patients. Timely referral of lymphedema patients to specialized clinics and initiation of CDT can significantly reduce their ongoing suffering in Bangladesh.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
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.