Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Intervention Combined with Hold-Relax Technique on Lymphedema and Arm Function in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Study

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of a manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) intervention combined with the hold-relax (HR) technique with those of an MLD intervention alone on lymphedema and arm function in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Methods:The study participants were diagnosed with stage two lymphedema in one arm after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.They were diagnosed by a medical specialist and volunteered to participate in the study.A total of 14 subjects were randomly assigned to seven experimental and seven control groups.The experimental group received MLD combined with the hold-relax technique, while the control group received only MLD.The experimental group received 40 minutes of MLD and 20 minutes of HR, while the control group received only MLD for 60 minutes.All interventions were performed once or twice a week for a total of four weeks.The volume of lymphedema and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score were measured before and 4 weeks after the intervention in both groups.Results: The lymphedema volume (effect size = 1.81) and DASH score (effect size = 0.54) decreased significantly in the experimental group after the intervention compared with before (p < 0.05).Additionally, the change in lymphedema volume was