Modeling of interstitial fluid movement in soft tissue under negative pressure – relevance to treatment of tissue swelling

Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Using Negative Pressure Massage: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure massage treatment (NPMT) compared with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in women with chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE). We hypothesized that NPMT would result in greater improvements in LE and upper limb function.

DESIGN

Pilot single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Health sciences university.

PARTICIPANTS

Of 64 women screened, 28 met eligibility requirements (ie, >18y of age; completed active treatment for breast cancer; had unilateral arm LE for ≥1y; were not receiving LE care; had stable LE) and were randomized to the NPMT (n=15) and control groups (n=13).

INTERVENTIONS

The intervention group received NPMT and the control group received MLD; both received twelve 60-minute sessions over 4-6 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Bioimpedance (lymphedema index [L-Dex] units]), limb volume (mL) calculated from limb circumference, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) score.

RESULTS

Outcomes were analyzed for 28 women. Compared to the MLD group, the NPMT group demonstrated greater improvement with a large effect size in L-Dex scores (P=.001; standardized mean difference [SMD]=-1.15; 95% confidence interval, -1.96 to -0.35) and interlimb volume differences (P=.038; SMD=-0.83; 95% confidence interval, -1.60 to -0.05). Differences in DASH scores were not statistically significant (P=.067).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to MLD, treatment with NPMT resulted in greater improvement in L-Dex scores and interlimb volume differences in women with a duration of unilateral upper limb LE of >1 year. Our findings need to be confirmed in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Development of a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Protocol to Examine Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Outcomes in Systemic Sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

This study developed a musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) protocol to evaluate rehabilitation outcomes in systemic sclerosis.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Three MSUS methods (grey scale, Doppler, strain elastography) and two acquisition techniques (long versus short axis; transducer on skin versus floating on gel) were examined in the forearm before and after rehabilitation treatment. For grey-scale, tissue thickness measures, intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated (ICCs), and paired t-tests examined differences among techniques.

RESULTS

Five people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis participated. The most valid and reliable grey-scale technique was with the transducer in long-axis, floating on gel. Doppler and strain elastography did not detect changes. Both dermal and subcutaneous thickness measurement error was small; intra- and inter-rater reliability was good to excellent. Preliminary data indicate that treatment may lead to dermal thinning.

CONCLUSION

A replicable protocol was established and may be an adjunct to rehabilitation outcome measurement in systemic sclerosis.

Occupational Therapy Treatment to Improve Upper Extremity Function in Individuals with Early Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and preliminary effects of occupational therapy to improve upper extremity function in patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) who have upper extremity contractures.

METHODS

A single-group pilot clinical rehabilitation trial was conducted at the University of Michigan Scleroderma Center. Patients with SSc and ≥1 upper extremity contracture (n = 21) participated in a total of 8 weekly in-person occupational therapy sessions. The therapy consisted of thermal modalities, tissue mobilization, and upper extremity mobility exercises. The participants were instructed to perform upper extremity exercises at home between sessions. Feasibility was measured by the percent enrollment as well as session attendance and session duration. The primary outcome measure was the Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand measure (QuickDASH); secondary and exploratory outcomes included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function measures; objective measures of upper extremity mobility, strength, and coordination; and skin thickening. Linear mixed models were used to determine the effects of treatment on the primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty percent of potentially eligible subjects (24 of 48) were interested in participating. Twenty-one (88%) of the 24 subjects were enrolled, and 19 (91%) of these 21 subjects completed all sessions. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 47.9 ± 16.1 years; 100% had diffuse SSc, and the mean disease duration was 3.1 years. At 8 weeks, participants had statistically significant improvement in the QuickDASH and PROMIS physical function measure (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.004, respectively). Approximately one-half of participants in the sample achieved improvement in the QuickDASH and PROMIS measure that exceeded minimally important differences.

CONCLUSION

In-person treatment sessions were feasible in the patients with SSc and resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in upper extremity and physical function. In future studies, the effects of SSc should be compared with those in a control condition, and the durability of treatment effects should be examined.