Effect of low energy laser therapy in the management of post-mastectomy lymphoedema

PURPOSE: Lymphoedema in women treated for breast cancer is an accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the arm that occur when axillary lymphatic drainage from the arm is interrupted because of axillary lymph node dissection or axillary radiation or both. Lymphoedema remains a problem even with modern treatment modalities. Low intensity laser therapy has been used to treat successfully for the treatment of pain and wounds of different etiologies. We tried to assess its efficacy in post mastectomy lymphoedema.. METHOD: Twenty female patients were allocated into two groups. All have completed adjuvant radiation therapy following radical mastectomy for operable breast cancer. The laser group were treaated with dose of 2.6J/cm2 at each point in the axillary fold. We compared the effect of Low intensity laser therapy and exercise with conventional physiotherapy (exercise and compression bandage), by evaluating the patients for circumferential measurements of arm and pain scale. RESULTS: All patients completed the trail, and were compatible in terms of age, type of surgery and adjuvant therapy received. The result analysis showed that laser treated group showed significant improvement in the reduction in pain and limb oedema as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Low energy laser therapy significantly reduces post mastectomy oedema and pain as compared to conventional group.