Completed Studies

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Direct Evidence of Lymphatic Function Improvement after Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device
Treatment of Lymphedema
“Direct Evidence of Lymphatic Function Improvement after Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Treatment of Lymphedema ”

Authors: Kristen E. Adams, John C. Rasmussen, Chinmay Darne, I-Chih Tan, Melissa B. Aldrich, Milton V. Marshall, Caroline E. Fife, Erik A. Maus, Latisha A. Smith, Renie Guilloid, Sunday Hoy, and Eva M. Sevick-Muraca Published: Biomedical Optics Express. 2010; Vol. 1(1): 114-125.

Abstract: Lymphedema affects up to 50% of all breast cancer survivors. Management with pneumatic compression devices (PCDs) is controversial, owing to the lack of methods to directly assess benefit. This pilot study employed an investigational, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging technique to evaluate lymphatic response to PCD therapy in normal control and breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) subjects. Lymphatic propulsion rate, apparent lymph velocity, and lymphatic vessel recruitment were measured before, during, and after advanced PCD therapy with the Flexitouch system. Lymphatic function improved in all control subjects and all asymptomatic arms of BCRL subjects. Lymphatic function improved in 4 of 6 BCRL affected arms, improvement defined as proximal movement of dye after therapy. NIR fluorescence lymphatic imaging may be useful to directly evaluate lymphatic response to Flexitouch therapy.


Read study: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/boe/abstract.cfm?uri=boe-1-1-114