Association of Godoy & Godoy contention with mechanism with apparatus-assisted exercises in patients with arm lymphedema after breast cancer

Maria de Fátima Guerreiro Godoy^1,4, Tania Dias Guimaraes², Antonio Hélio Oliani^1,3, José Maria Pereira de Godoy^4
1CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personal), São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; ²Godoy Clinic, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; ³Gynecology and Obstetrics Department-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil; ⁴Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Department-FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil

Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the reduction in the volume of the upper limbs with lymphedema after exercises using the apparatus-assisted program associated with contention mechanism.
Patients and method: Twenty-eight female patients were selected and referred for evaluation and treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer therapy. The ages of the women ranged from 42 to 72 years with a mean age of 57 years. Inclusion criteria were treatment of cancer associated to a difference of at least 200 mL between the edematous and the contralateral limbs. Patients with active infections, skin lesions, and active disease were not included in the study. Four series of exercises using devices based on pedals, pulleys, a horizontal reflexion bar, and an elevation bar were selected. The participants were advised about the form of exercise: 15 minutes for each device, low intensity (less than 10 movements per minute), in the seated position, and the use of contention. Water displacement volumetry was performed before and after the 60-minute exercise session. The paired t-test was utilized with an alpha error of 5% considered acceptable (P value < 0.05).
Results: The mean difference between the volumetric measures before and after exercise was significant, with all the participants having reductions in the volume of the limbs using the four selected devices over time and at an intensity determined by this study.
Conclusion: Association of a Godoy and Godoy contention during apparatus-assisted exercise reduced the edema in patients with lymphedema of the upper limbs.

Keywords: lymphedema, exercises, devices, treatment