Comparative Efficacy of Pneumatic Compression Therapy versus Regular Shoulder Physical Activity Regimens in Managing Upper Limb Lymphedema Post-Mastectomy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This research sought to evaluate upper limb lymphedema management in post-mastectomy patients by comparing the effectiveness of shoulder exercise programs and pneumatic compression therapy. In this experimental trial, thirty elderly women aged 60–70 participated, with fifteen randomly allocated to each group. Group A completed twelve sessions of intermittent pneumatic compression combined with thrice-weekly shoulder exercises over four weeks, whereas Group B received twelve pneumatic compression sessions under identical conditions but without the exercise component. At baseline, no segment (5 cm above the elbow, elbow level, or 5 cm below the elbow) showed statistically significant differences between the groups, suggesting similar beginning values (all p > 0.835). Overall, there is not enough statistical evidence to draw the conclusion that there is a significant difference between groups based on the pre-specified post-treatment between-group comparisons. This study acknowledges several limitations that should be considered when interpreting its findings. First, the small sample size (N=30) limits statistical power and generalizability, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions about the comparative effectiveness of shoulder exercise programs versus pneumatic compression therapy in the wider elderly post-mastectomy population. Second, the intervention period included only 12 therapy sessions, which may not adequately reflect long-term outcomes or sustainability of the observed effects. Future research could reduce bias and enhance reliability by incorporating multiple outcome measures and more comprehensive comparative designs. Implementing these improvements would help develop stronger management strategies for upper limb lymphedema in this patient group. Despite these constraints, the study offers significant clinical implications. It demonstrates that combining pneumatic compression with shoulder exercises substantially reduces lymphedema and associated morbidity, thereby improving patients' quality of life. This therapeutic approach may also promote long-term self-care for mild to moderate cases by enhancing lymph flow and reducing protein concentration in lymph fluid. Furthermore, encouraging self-help practices in chronic lymphedema aligns with emerging medical humanities principles, emphasizing environmental support and the patient's lived experience in managing chronic conditions.