Effect of Lymphedema Patient School on Objective and Patient-Reported Measures in Women With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a manageable problem with appropriate self-care education. The study aims to examine the effect of the Lymphedema Patient School on objective and patient-reported measures in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Methods: The study is a one-group quasi-experimental design. The study sample consisted of 26 women who developed lymphedema due to breast cancer. Patients were trained within the scope of a patient school for self-care education in lymphedema. Data were collected before, 3, and 6 months after the training. Objective outcome parameters included body mass index (BMI), hand grip strength and arm volume measurements. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using the “Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Self-Care Scale (BCRLSS),” “Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema (LYMQOL),” “The Cancer-Related Lymphedema of the Upper Extremity Tool (CLUE),” and “Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2)” scales. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.90 ± 8.34 years (min:36-max:67). The mean time since breast cancer diagnosis was 6.32 ± 5.39 years. Statistically significant differences were found in BCRLSS ( P = .001), arm volume ( P = .022), LYMQOL ( P < .001), CLUE ( P = .006), handgrip strength ( P = .026), and BMI ( P = .032). No significant difference was found in the BAS-2 ( P = .201). Conclusion: Lymphedema Patient School was found to increase self-care, improve quality of life, improve lymphedema-related characteristics, decrease arm volume, increase handgrip strength, and decrease BMI in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Lymphedema patient school is a safe and effective training method for lymphedema self-management in individuals with breast cancer-related lymphedema.