• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.8-14
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• 2009

Purpose: to apply lymph massage to the patients that contracted lymphedema after mastectomy to resolve blood congestion, stimulate circulation, and control swelling long-term. Methods: The subjects include 20 female patients that were diagnosed with breast cancer histologically and contracted lymphedema within one to two years after mastectomy. They received lymph massage from March to August, 2008. Using a measuring tape(capable of measuring mm), the arm circumference was measured in both the sick and normal arm. Only the data from the sick arm were compared before and after the treatment. The measuring points were five; the back of the hand(a certain distance[about 10cm] was set between the end of the middle finger to the center of the palm), the wrist(the smallest section), the lower arm(at a certain distance[about 10cm] from the internal bending part of the elbow), the elbow(the bending part), and the upper arm(at a certain distance[about 10cm] from the internal bending part of the elbow). Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WINDOWS Version 12.0 program. Results: There was a reduction of lymphedema observed in all the points including 10cm in the upper arm, the elbow, 10cm in the lower arm, the wrist and the back of the hand after lymph massage, and the reduction had statistically significant differences(p<.05). Conclusion: Those results indicate that lymph massage has effects on the reduction of lymphedema in the early patients that contracted it after mastectomy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1390-1400
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of EPMLM(educational program of manual lymph massage) on the arm functioning and QOL(quality of life) in breast cancer patients with lymphedema. Method: Subjects in the experimental group(n=20) participated in EPMLM for 6 weeks from June to July, 2005. The EPMLM consisted of training of lymph massage for 2 weeks and encourage and support of self-care using lymph massage for 4 weeks. The arm functioning assessed at pre-treatment, 2weeks, and 6weeks using Arm functioning questionnaire. The QOL assessed at pre-treatment and 6 weeks using SF-36. The outcome data of experimental group was compared with control group(n=20). The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS 10.0 statistical program. Result: The arm functioning of experimental group was increased from 2 weeks after(W=.224, p=.011) and statistically differenced with control group at 2 weeks(Z=-2.241, p=.024) and 6 weeks(Z=-2.453, p=.013). Physical function of QOL domain increased in experimental group(Z=-1.162, p=.050), also statistically differenced with control group(Z=-2.182, p= .030) at 6weeks. Conclusion: The results suggest that the educational program of manual lymph massage can improve arm functioning and physical function of QOL domain in breast cancer patients with lymphedema.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement of a patient with lymphedema due to axillary lymph node dissection after acupuncture therapy and herbal medicine. Methods : We treated the patient with Dong-Qi acupuncture, herbal medication(木通大安湯), lymph absorption massage, compresses, abdominal breathing. We measured the circumference of the patient's elbow and wrist every day at 6pm. Results : Since being hospitalized, the circumference of the patient' elbow and wrist has been decreased and VAS score has gotten lower gradually. Conclusions : We considered Dong-Qi acupuncture, herbal medication had a useful effect on lymphedema due to axillary lymph node dissection with lymph absorption massage, compresses, abdominal breathing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine whether aromatherapy massages with manual lymph drainage (MLD) are significantly more effective than sham massages with MLD in reducing edematous limb volume in lymphedema. This study was performed on 46 patients who had developed unilateral upper or lower lymphedema. Twenty-three patients served as the experimental group and were treated with complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) applications including aroma massages with MLD, multi layered compression bandages, remedial exercises and skin care. Twenty-three patients in the control group were treated with CDP applications including sham massages with MLD, bandages, exercises and skin care. Patients undergo a therapy program once a day; 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Percentage excess volume (PEV) and body mass index (BMI) were recorded before and after treatment. PEV and BMI were significantly decreased before and after treatment in the experimental as well as in the control groups (p<.05). However, the percentage excess volume and BMI were not significantly improved after treatment between the two groups (p>.05). This study there suggests that aroma massages is not effective in the edema of patients with lymphedema.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of study was aimed to identify whether the painless dynamic PNF techniques makes any differences in reducing lymphedema by applying this technique to lymphedema patients, and to provide the basic reference data for the purpose of applying to lymphedema patients. Methods : A total of 40 women participated in this study, and they did PNF techniques before applying lymph compression bandages. Group 1 of 20 subjects performed PNF techniques three times a week with 30 minutes each time. Group 2 of 20 subjects only practiced edema reducing massaging for 30 minutes. Results : In addition, the interaction between treatment method and treatment time was significant (p<.0001), which indicates that the changes in edema rates by measurement times appear differently according to treatment methods. In this study, it means that the 'PNF techniques' group has a steeper slope of decline than the 'message' group. Conclusion : In conclusion, both massaging and PNF techniques helped to lower edema rates. Four weeks after the beginning of treatment, PNF techniques was exhibited as generating a large degree of decline in edema rates than massaging.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2006

In the past, most patient of breast cancer suffered side effects due to the useless removement of Axillary Lymph Node, but there is no need to remove it because of the result in this study. The purpose of this study is to save surgery time and side effects after surgical operation for patients with breast cancer by making decisions of operation range for metastasis in first Stenosis Lymph Node using the $^{99m}Tc-Tincolloid$ Scintigraphy and the Micro Probe for radioisotope. As a result of this study, 15 among 20 patients became objects of this study could reduced side effects for operation because there were no axillary lymph node operations. However there is no standard for method of this treatment. It should be standardize where inject point is, how much $^{99m}Tc-Tincolloid$ should be injected(radioactivity value), and the need of massage and Lymph Scintigraphy. Nevertheless I think that this result of study is useful to reduce suffering and side effects from breast cancer and also we should try to do that continuously. The objects for this study were 20 patients diagnosed as breast cancer by Ultrasonography, Mammography & Biopsy. The average of patient age was 45.4 years and its range was between 31 and 71 years. In case of clinical period there were 9 patients of Period I and II patients of Period III. The equipment for this study were $^{99m}Tc-Tincolloid$ describing the Stenosis Lymph Node as a tracer, Micro Probe : Neoprobe 2000(the rest is Gamma Probe) tracing the location, and MS-II Gamma Camera : SIEMENS(the rest is MS-II Gamma Camera) describing the images. There were 3 methods for this study, after selecting one of those methods all 20 patients were performed Stenosis Lymph Node diagnosis & Gamma Probe in operation room. The result was that I imaged all the 20 patients, and seek the Stenosis Lymph Node by using Gamma Probe. Metastasis in Stenosis Lymph Node was 5 and Metastasis in Axillary Lymph Node was 3 between Metastasis in Stenosis Lymph Node cases. Finally 15 patients were also proved that Axillary Lymph Node was Positive and that means there was no Metastasis in Axillary Lymph Node.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.152-155
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• 2005

Purpose: The lower extremity edema (LEE) is a common distressful symptom in advanced cancer patients and is hard to manage. We analyze the characteristics of LEE in patients with advanced cancer to provide the basic information of causes and adequate management. Methods: Physical examination, assessment of the location and severity of edema, blood chemistry (albumin, creatinine), Doppler Sono for patients with suspecting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and abdomen CT scan for patient with suspecting lymph edema were performed. Severity of edema was classified according to NCI lymph edema scaling and improvement was defined as lowering at least 1 grade of edema after management. Results: Among 154 patient who had been admitted to Hospice Ward from Mar 2003 to Jan 2004, 33 had LEE, and 6 had both upper extremity edema and LEE except generalized edema. Their underlying cancers were stomach (7), lung (6), biliary tract (5), liver (5), colorectal (5), pancreas (2), and others (9). There were 12 patient with grade I, 20 patients with grade II, and 7 patients with grade III edema. The causes were hypoalbuminemia (11), lymph edema (10), DVT (7), obstruction of inferior vena cava (IVC) or portal vein (6), and dependent edema (5). The common managements were including leg elevation and diuretics. Elastic stocking was applied for patients with DVT and leg massage and pneumatic compression was used for lymph edema. The 2/3 patients were improved after management. Conclusion: The incidence of LEE in terminal cancer pts was high (25.3%) and their causes were variable including lymph edema, DVT, hypoalbuminemia and dependent edema. Active noninvasive management according to causes could result in good palliation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyse current status and treatment of the Korean medicine hospital after chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. Methods: We investigated the medical records of 21 patients who admitted to Korean medicine hospital after chemotherapy in patients with breast cacner from March 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. We searched medical records retrospectively and analyzed current status and treatment of Korean medicine hospital. Results: The average age of 21 participants was 52.81±8.38 years and 40s and 50s accounted for 85.6% of the total. After receiving chemotherapy, the average time to hospitalization was 1.87±3.13days and average hospital stay was 9.78±4.14 days. The subjects were classified as 28.6% of stage I, 52.4% of stage II, 9.5% of stage III, and 9.5% of stage IV. The analysis according to the presence of metastasis was 57.1% without metastasis, 33.3% with axillary lymph node metastasis, and 9.5% with distant metastasis. The main symptoms complained when hospitalized by 21 subjects were nausea (54.2%), fatigue (54.2%), and anorexia (50.8%) in over 50%, pantalgia (47.5%), and insomnia (47.5%), dizziness (44.1%), cold sweating (42.4%), lower extremity pain (40.7%), 37.5~37.9℃ fever (39.0%), headache (37.3%), hot flush (37.3%), pruritus (30.5%) are 30% or more. Korean medicine treatment was performed in 87.4% of all hospitalizations and Gwakhyangjunggi-san-gami was the most administered prescription. Extracts of Korean medicine was performed in 100.0% of all patients and Eunkyo-san was most administered extracts medicine. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping treatments were performed in all 21 study subjects. Other treatments was performed at a frequency of hyperthermia (90.5%), lymph massage (23.8%), air compression therapy (23.8%), and Interference current therapy (19.0%) Conclusion: Korean traditional medicine can be used as a countermeasure for side effects after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to gain basic data to develop a self-care protocol for the lymphedema patients. Method: The subjects of this study consisted of 115 patients with lymphedema from 8 hospitals and two community health and welfare centers in Busan and Seoul. The data was collected with questionnaire by self reporting of patients between March 2001 and December 2001. Data was analyzed by mean and percentage. Result: For self-care activities in daily life, compliance of 'use skin care preparations', 'use heat and cold', 'protect from local compression on affected limbs', 'protect from insect biting', 'use aids to protect affected limbs', 'take diuretics and take protein diet' did not reach to 50%. For self-care activities related to complex physical therapy, 28.7% of subjects complied with compression garment, 14.8% with manual lymph drainage, and 13.0% with exercise. 20.0% of subjects tried to treat with acupuncture and 13.9% with heat therapy. Conclusion: From this study, it is suggested that patients need to get a self-care education with correct information about self care activities and health care professionals need to develop more convenience self-care techniques of massage and exercise.