Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
7-5-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
7-5-2024 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Lymphedema is a frequent outcome for people who have undergone cancer treatments due to the damage to the lymphatic system from radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the standard treatment for the increased edema and fibrosis resulting from lymphedema and can lower a person’s risk of developing an infection (4). Another possible intervention is using a low-level laser, such as the 904-nm one from RainCorp, to target the fibrotic tissue, leading to tissue breakdown to improve ROM and QOL. Most research on adjunct treatments, like the RianCorp low-level laser therapy (LLLT), that can break down fibrotic tissue and improve fluid removal from the tissues, has been completed on those with breast cancer-related lymphedema. This study aims to look at the results of Low-level laser therapy for chronic lower abdomen and genital lymphedema. Methods: The participant received the laser treatment three days a week for eight weeks while continuing her already established home program. The laser was applied to 30 points on her lower abdomen, mons pubis, and superior labial areas. Girth measurements for edema and shear wave elastography (SWE) ultrasound images for stiffness of seven locations were initially taken before and after the first, ninth, and last LLLT treatment. Follow-up measurements were then taken three and seven months after the end of treatment. Results: Girth measurements showed between 0.0% and 15.15% with an average 7.3% reduction at the end of the eight weeks and between 3.23% and 20% reduction with an average of 12.2% for the seven locations at seven months post-treatment. Post hoc analysis with a Bonferroni adjustment revealed that SWE tissue stiffness had a statistically significant decrease of 17.662 kPa (95% CI, 1.26 to 34.06), p < .05 at the end of treatment, a reduction of 19.200 kPa (95% CI, 1.09 to 37.31), p< .05 at three months post, and a decrease of 18.325 kPa (95% CI, .26 to 36.39), p< .05 at seven months post. Discussion: The participant showed a reduction in edema for all seven locations at the end of treatment and the seven-month follow-up. Three areas had a more significant decrease at the end of treatment, three at the seven-month follow-up, and one maintained the same reduction in edema. For the SWE, the participant showed the most significant improvement at the three-month follow-up, yet still showed more reduction at the seven-month than immediately post-treatment. These results are similar to outcomes in studies using LLLT on breast cancer-related lymphedema. A limitation of the study is that it only included one participant. Conclusion: In conclusion, using the low-level RainCorp laser in conjunction with a previously established CDT home program does decrease edema and stiffness of the fibrotic tissue for chronic lower abdomen and genital lymphedema.
Embargo Period
6-27-2024
Included in
The Impact of Low-Level Laser Therapy with Chronic Genital Lymphedema: A Case Study
Suwanee, GA
Introduction: Lymphedema is a frequent outcome for people who have undergone cancer treatments due to the damage to the lymphatic system from radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the standard treatment for the increased edema and fibrosis resulting from lymphedema and can lower a person’s risk of developing an infection (4). Another possible intervention is using a low-level laser, such as the 904-nm one from RainCorp, to target the fibrotic tissue, leading to tissue breakdown to improve ROM and QOL. Most research on adjunct treatments, like the RianCorp low-level laser therapy (LLLT), that can break down fibrotic tissue and improve fluid removal from the tissues, has been completed on those with breast cancer-related lymphedema. This study aims to look at the results of Low-level laser therapy for chronic lower abdomen and genital lymphedema. Methods: The participant received the laser treatment three days a week for eight weeks while continuing her already established home program. The laser was applied to 30 points on her lower abdomen, mons pubis, and superior labial areas. Girth measurements for edema and shear wave elastography (SWE) ultrasound images for stiffness of seven locations were initially taken before and after the first, ninth, and last LLLT treatment. Follow-up measurements were then taken three and seven months after the end of treatment. Results: Girth measurements showed between 0.0% and 15.15% with an average 7.3% reduction at the end of the eight weeks and between 3.23% and 20% reduction with an average of 12.2% for the seven locations at seven months post-treatment. Post hoc analysis with a Bonferroni adjustment revealed that SWE tissue stiffness had a statistically significant decrease of 17.662 kPa (95% CI, 1.26 to 34.06), p < .05 at the end of treatment, a reduction of 19.200 kPa (95% CI, 1.09 to 37.31), p< .05 at three months post, and a decrease of 18.325 kPa (95% CI, .26 to 36.39), p< .05 at seven months post. Discussion: The participant showed a reduction in edema for all seven locations at the end of treatment and the seven-month follow-up. Three areas had a more significant decrease at the end of treatment, three at the seven-month follow-up, and one maintained the same reduction in edema. For the SWE, the participant showed the most significant improvement at the three-month follow-up, yet still showed more reduction at the seven-month than immediately post-treatment. These results are similar to outcomes in studies using LLLT on breast cancer-related lymphedema. A limitation of the study is that it only included one participant. Conclusion: In conclusion, using the low-level RainCorp laser in conjunction with a previously established CDT home program does decrease edema and stiffness of the fibrotic tissue for chronic lower abdomen and genital lymphedema.
Comments
Presented by Katherine Palmer.