Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) nursing interventions for breast cancer-related lymphedema. A comprehensive search of 6 databases identified 26 randomized controlled trials involving 2315 participants. TCM nursing significantly improved the overall clinical response rate (risk ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.27, I2 = 0%), reduced Visual Analogue Scale pain scores (mean difference = -1.20, 95% CI, -1.41 to -1.00), and enhanced upper limb function (standardized mean difference = -1.33, 95% CI, -1.56 to -1.09). Subgroup analyses for affected limb circumference showed potential benefits, but substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 91%) precluded overall pooling. No severe adverse events were reported. Current evidence suggests TCM nursing may be an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for breast cancer-related lymphedema; however, methodological limitations, including a lack of blinding, warrant cautious interpretation. Further rigorous trials are needed to confirm these findings.