Exercise Training and Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review

Abstract Context: Despite the improvements thathavebeenmade intreatment of breast cancer, upper-limblymphedema is still anunsolved problemin the treatment of womenwith breast cancer. Upper extremity lymphedemamay accompanywith decreased in shoulder range of motion and strength, and also pain. Nowadays, exercise training acts as a treatment method to control lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. Therefore, this study reviews the resultsof the appliedstudies inthisfieldtosurvey the influencesof exercise training on lymphedema and to determine its related symptoms in women with breast cancer. Data Sources: Literature investigation was conducted on August 1st, 2016 using PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases. StudySelection: RandomizedandnonrandomizedcontrolledtrialspublishedinEnglishwere included. Twelve trailsmet inclusion criteria. Data Extraction: Datawere extractedina standardizedmanner into thepredefinedtable. Then, quality of the studieswas evaluated using the guide to community preventive services tool. Conclusions: It can be seen that a few studies have examined the effect of exercise training on lymphedema to conduct a review study. So, lymphedema continues to be a problem for breast cancer survivors. According to most studies, aerobic, resistance and stretching training programs had no influence on the volume and circumference of armin lymphedema cancer patients, but the training had a noticeable influence on quality of life