Assessment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Comparison of Moisture Meter and Spot Bioimpedance Measurement

Accuracy and precision of multiple body composition methods and associations with muscle strength in athletes of varying hydration: The Da Kine Study

BACKGROUND

Athletes vary in hydration status due to ongoing training regimes, diet demands, and extreme exertion. With water being one of the largest body composition compartments, its variation can cause misinterpretation of body composition assessments meant to monitor strength and training progress. In this study, we asked what accessible body composition approach could best quantify body composition in athletes with a variety of hydration levels.

METHODS

The Da Kine Study recruited collegiate and intramural athletes to undergo a variety of body composition assessments including air-displacement plethysmography (ADP), deuterium-oxide dilution (D2O), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), underwater-weighing (UWW), 3D-optical (3DO) imaging, and bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Each of these methods generated 2- or 3-compartment body composition estimates of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) and was compared to equivalent measures of the criterion 6-compartment model (6CM) that accounts for variance in hydration. Body composition by each method was used to predict abdominal and thigh strength, assessed by isokinetic/isometric dynamometry.

RESULTS

In total, 70 (35 female) athletes with a mean age of 21.8 ± 4.2 years were recruited. Percent hydration (Body Water6CM/FFM6CM) had substantial variation in both males (63-73 %) and females (58-78 %). ADP and DXA FM and FF M had moderate to substantial agreement with the 6C model (Lin's Concordance Coefficient [CCC] = 0.90-0.95) whereas the other measures had lesser agreement (CCC <0.90) with one exception of 3DO FFM in females (CCC = 0.91). All measures of FFM produced excellent precision with %CV < 1.0 %. However, FM measures in general had worse precision (% CV < 2.0 %). Increasing quartiles (significant p < 0.001 trend) of 6CM FFM resulted in increasing strength measures in males and females. Moreover, the stronger the agreement between the alternative methods to the 6CM, the more robust their correlation with strength, irrespective of hydration status.

CONCLUSION

The criterion 6CM showed the best association to strength regardless of the hydration status of the athletes for both males and females. Simpler methods showed high precision for both FM and FFM and those with the strongest agreement to the 6CM had the highest strength associations.

SUMMARY BOX

This study compared various body composition analysis methods in 70 athletes with varying states of hydration to the criterion 6-compartment model and assessed their relationship to muscle strength. The results showed that accurate and precise estimates of body composition can be determined in athletes, and a more accurate body composition measurement produces better strength estimates. The best laboratory-based techniques were air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, while the commercial methods had moderate-poor agreement. Prioritizing accurate body composition assessment ensures better strength estimates in athletes.

Acute Effects of Remedial Exercises with and without Compression on Breast-Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Remedial exercises are an important part of the treatment for lymphedema, but there is little evidence to support the acute effects of remedial exercises with or without compression. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how daily (performed within 24 h) remedial exercises with and without compression bandaging acutely affect the severity of lymphedema and its symptoms in breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). In total, 34 patients with BCRL completed three sets of remedial exercises (within 24 h) with and without compression bandaging in a randomized order separated by a 3-day wash-out period. The severity of lymphedema and extracellular water ratio were assessed before and 24 h post exercise by using bilateral circumferential measurements and bioimpedance spectroscopy (in L-dex score), respectively, and the severity of self-reported symptoms (swelling, heaviness, and tightness) was assessed using a visual analogue scale. While there was no difference in all outcomes at 24 h post exercise without compression (p > 0.05), all outcomes decreased significantly compared to baseline at 24 h after the exercise with compression (p < 0.001). The remedial exercises performed in the absence of compression within 24 h do not acutely increase the lymphedema and symptoms in BCRL. These are important preliminary findings, which can be used to inform future prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of remedial exercise performed without compression.

The Effect of Manual Lymph Drainage and Compression Bandaging for Stage 2 Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: To explore the effect of manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression bandaging (CB), or combined decongestive therapy (CDT), including MLD and CB, on stage 2 breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Methods: Sixty women with stage 2 BCRL were enrolled. They were randomly divided into the MLD group, the CB group or the CDT group. Each group, respectively, received MLD alone, CB alone, or CDT composed of MLD and CB, for 2 weeks. The volume and the local tissue water (LTW) of affected arms were measured before and after treatment. Arm circumferences were measured at 4 cm interval starting from the wrist to the shoulder with a tape measure. LTW was detected using the (tissue dielectric constant, TDC) method and was expressed as TDC value in two sites on the ventral midpoint of upper arm and forearm. Results: The volume of affected arms in each group after 2-weeks' treatment was lower than their baseline and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in volume change among three groups. The TDC value of the upper arm and forearm in the group CB and the group CDT decreased distinctly compared with baseline (p < 0.05). But the TDC value of the upper arm and forearm after MLD did not change (p > 0.05). Compared with the group MLD and the group CDT, the reduction of the TDC value in the group CB was more significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MLD or CB alone could effectively reduce the volume of affected arms for patients with stage 2 BCRL, and CB also could reduce the LTW more significantly. CDT did not seem to show an extra advantage. Therefore, CB may be the first choice for stage 2 BCRL. But for patients who are unwilling or intolerant to CB, MLD can be selected.

Does Manual Lymphatic Drainage Add Value in Reducing Suprafascial Fluid Accumulation and Skin Elasticity in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymph drainage (MLD) versus that of traditional and placebo MLD, when added to decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) (EFforT-BCRL trial), on the suprafascial accumulation of lymphatic fluid and skin elasticity.

METHODS

In this multicenter, 3-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (EFforT-BCRL trial), 194 participants (mean age = 61 [SD = 10] years) with unilateral BCRL were recruited. All participants received standardized DLT (education, skin care, compression therapy, exercises) and were randomized to fluoroscopy-guided, traditional, or placebo MLD. Participants received 60 min/d of treatment during the 3-week intensive phase and 18 sessions of 30 minutes during the 6-month maintenance phase. During this phase, participants were instructed to wear a compression garment, to perform exercises, and to perform a self-MLD procedure once daily. This study comprises secondary analyses of the EFforT-BCRL trial. Outcomes were the amount of fluid accumulation in the suprafascial tissues (local tissue water, extracellular fluid, and thickness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue) and skin elasticity at the level of the arm and trunk. Measurements were performed at baseline; after intensive treatment; after 1, 3, and 6 months of maintenance treatment; and after 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

At the level of the arm, there was a significant improvement over time in the 3 groups for most of the outcomes. At the level of the trunk, no remarkable improvement was noted within the individual groups. No significant interaction effects (between-group differences) were present. Only skin elasticity at the level of the arm, evaluated through palpation, showed a significant interaction effect.

CONCLUSION

All 3 groups showed similar improvements in response to DLT regardless of the type of MLD that was added. The effect of the addition of MLD to other components of DLT for reducing local tissue water and extracellular fluid or skin thickness and for improving skin elasticity and fibrosis in participants with chronic BCRL was limited.

IMPACT

Although MLD has been applied all over the world for many years, evidence regarding its added value in reducing arm volume in patients with BCRL is lacking. These results show that adding MLD to other components of DLT has limited value in reducing local tissue water and extracellular fluid or skin thickness and in improving skin elasticity and fibrosis in patients with chronic BCRL. To date, there is no clinical indication to continue including time-consuming MLD in physical therapist sessions for patients with chronic BCRL.

Manual lymphatic drainage with or without fluoroscopy guidance did not substantially improve the effect of decongestive lymphatic therapy in people with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (EFforT-BCRL trial): a multicentre randomised trial

QUESTIONS

When added to decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT), what is the effect of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) versus traditional MLD or placebo MLD for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL)?

DESIGN

Multicentre, three-arm, randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinding of assessors and participants.

PARTICIPANTS

At five hospitals in Belgium, 194 participants with unilateral chronic BCRL were recruited.

INTERVENTION

All participants received standard DLT (education, skin care, compression therapy and exercises). Participants were randomised to also receive fluoroscopy-guided MLD (n = 65), traditional MLD (n = 64) or placebo MLD (n = 65). Participants received 14 sessions of physiotherapy during the 3-week intensive phase and 17 sessions during the 6-month maintenance phase. Participants performed self-management on the other days.

OUTCOME MEASURES

All outcomes were measured: at baseline; after the intensive phase; after 1, 3 and 6 months of maintenance phase; and after 6 months of follow-up. The primary outcomes were reduction in excess volume of the arm/hand and accumulation of excess volume at the shoulder/trunk, with the end of the intensive phase as the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes included daily functioning, quality of life, erysipelas and satisfaction.

RESULTS

Excess lymphoedema volume decreased after 3 weeks of intensive treatment in each group: 5.3 percentage points of percent excessive volume (representing a relative reduction of 23.3%) in the fluoroscopy-guided MLD group, 5.2% (relative reduction 20.9%) in the traditional MLD group and 5.4% (relative reduction 24.8%) in the placebo MLD group. The effect of fluoroscopy-guided MLD was very similar to traditional MLD (between-group difference 0.0 percentage points, 95% CI -2.0 to 2.1) and placebo MLD (-0.2 percentage points, 95% CI -2.1 to 1.8). Fluid accumulated at the shoulder/trunk in all groups. The average accumulation with fluoroscopy-guided MLD was negligibly less than with traditional MLD (-3.6 percentage points, 95% CI -6.4 to -0.8) and placebo MLD (-2.4 percentage points, 95% CI -5.2 to 0.4). The secondary outcomes also showed no clinically important between-group differences.

CONCLUSION

In patients with chronic BCRL, MLD did not provide clinically important additional benefit when added to other components of DLT.

REGISTRATION

NCT02609724.

Tissue Dielectric Constant Combined With Arm Volume Measurement as Complementary Methods in Detection and Assessment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Aim: To investigate the role of tissue dielectric constant (TDC) in the detection and assessment of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and to determine whether the TDC could potentially be used as a complementary method for arm volume measurement. Methods: Sixty-nine patients with BCRL were enrolled in this study. Local tissue water was assessed bilaterally by using the TDC method in four sites: upper arm, forearm, hand, and lateral thorax. Arm circumferences were measured at the 4-cm interval, starting from the shoulder to the wrist by using a tape measure. The arm volume was calculated by a standard formula. Patients' demographic information and clinical characteristics were also recorded. Results: Fifty-one of the 69 patients were diagnosed with clinical lymphedema. Using a TDC ratio of 1.2 or a diagnostic reference standard of ≥2 cm arm circumference, the sensitivity of these two methods was found to be identical at 73.9%. The TDC values in four sites on the affected side were significantly higher (p < 0.05) relative to the unaffected side. The inter-side TDC ratio of upper arm and forearm was substantially higher than that of lateral thorax and hand (p < 0.05). The TDC ratio of upper arm, forearm, and hand, especially of the upper arm and forearm, was positively correlated with inter-limb volume difference and stage of lymphedema. Conclusion: The TDC method elucidated a meaningful clinical correlation to the arm volume measurement. Applying those two methods together showed promise in the detection and assessment of BCRL. The forearm and upper arm were reliable examination sites for TDC measurements in the clinic.

Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Is a Valid and Reliable Measure of Edema Following Hand Burn Injury (Part 1-Method Validation)

The assessment of swelling following burn injury is complicated by the presence of wounds and dressings and due to patients experiencing significant pain and impaired movement. There remains a lack of sensitive objective measures for edema in patients presenting with hand burn injury. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a measure of body composition that has been demonstrated by our group to be reliable for measuring whole body and limb edema during resuscitation and to be sensitive to edema changes within healing wounds. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of BIS as a measure of edema following hand burn injury specifically. One hundred patients presenting with burn injury including a portion of a hand were recruited to this trial. Repeated measures of the hand were recorded using a novel application of BIS and in parallel with water displacement volumetry (WDV). The results were analyzed using mixed-effects regressions. Paired repeated measures were obtained for 195 hands, using four electrode configurations. BIS demonstrated high reliability in measuring hand BIS-Intraclass Correlation Coefficient 0.995 to 0.999 (95% CI 0.992-1.000) and sensitivity-Minimum Detectable Difference 0.74 to 3.86 Ω (0.09-0.48 Ω/cm). A strong correlation was shown with WDV, Pearson's r = -0.831 to -0.798 (P < .001). BIS is a sensitive and reliable measure of edema following acute hand burn injury.

Lymphedema in survivors of breast cancer

The tremendous improvement of survival in patients with breast cancer can be attributed to several treatment strategies, but these strategies also lead to the occurrence of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BRCL is regularly associated with factors such as axillary lymph node dissection and local lymph node radiotherapy and manifests as an increase of >10% in the volume of affected limbs. Being overweight or having obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), an excessive number of positive lymph nodes (>8) and capsular invasion by a tumor are additional risk factors for lymphedema. It is worth assessing the risk before surgery as this can prevent the occurrence of BCRL at the initial stage of breast cancer management. The clinical utility of many diagnostic tools and lymphedema surveillance allows early stage and even subclinical BCRL to be diagnosed, and allows real-time monitoring of the disease. The early diagnosis of BRCL allows treatment at an early stage, which is beneficial to the reduction of excess limb volume and the improvement of quality of life. At present, the major therapeutic methods of BCRL include complex decongestive therapy, pneumatic compression devices, participating in exercise, microsurgery and liposuction, each of which alleviates lymphedema effectively. No medications for treatment of BRCL have yet been developed. However, the recent findings on the success of molecular therapy in animal models may remedy this deficiency. Furthermore, the volume reduction of swollen limbs without swelling rebound by transplanting autologous stem cells has been successfully reported in some pilot studies, which may provide a new technique for treating BCRL. This review aimed to discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, risk factors, advantages and disadvantages of diagnostic tools, lymphedema surveillance and the characteristics of traditional and newly emerging BCRL treatments.

Current practice trends of oedema management in the hands of people with tetraplegia in Australia

Study design

Survey research design.

Objectives

To describe current practice methods for oedema management in people with tetraplegia.

Setting

Australia.

Methods

Online survey with open and closed questions regarding clinical practice trends in the assessment and treatment of oedema in the hands in people with tetraplegia.

Results

Seventeen occupational therapists working in spinal cord injury (SCI) in Australia completed the survey. Oedema was identified by visual inspection (n = 17, 100%) and recorded using circumferential tape measurement (n = 13, 76%). Elevation was used by all participants in conjunction with compression gloves (n = 13, 76%), retrograde massage (n = 13, 76%), compression bandaging (n = 12, 71%) and the boxing glove splint (n = 9, 53%). Participants stated that oedema presented challenges to patients with difficulty exercising (n = 11, 65%), changes to body image (n = 5, 29%) and pain (n = 4, 24%).

Conclusion

Assessment and treatment practices were not consistent. Oedema in the hands in people with tetraplegia was perceived to have various impacts on a person's rehabilitation and hand function. The findings highlight the need for research evidence to guide practice.

Protocol of a randomised controlled trial regarding the effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided manual lymph drainage for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (EFforT-BCRL trial)

OBJECTIVES

Lymphoedema is a dreadful complication following breast cancer therapy. According to the International Society of Lymphology, the consensus treatment for breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is the decongestive lymphatic therapy. This is a two-phase treatment and combines different treatment modalities including skin care, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression therapy and exercise. However, the additional effect of MLD is debated since pooled data only demonstrated a limited non-significant additional value. A possible explanation is that in previous studies MLD has been applied blind, without knowledge of patient-specific lymphatic routes of transport. In addition, the MLD hand manoeuvres used by the therapists in previous studies, possibly did not optimally stimulate lymphatic transport. Recently, near-infrared fluorescence imaging has been introduced to visualise the superficial lymphatic network which allows MLD at the most needed location. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of the fluoroscopy-guided MLD, additional to the other parts of the decongestive lymphatic therapy and compared to the traditional or a placebo MLD, in the treatment of BCRL.

STUDY DESIGN

A three-arm double-blinded randomised controlled trial will be conducted in different university hospitals in Belgium. Based on a sample size calculation, 201 participants with chronic BCRL stage 1 or 2 of the arm or hand, with at least 5% difference between both sides (corrected for hand dominance) need to be recruited. All participants receive the standard treatment: skin care, compression therapy and exercises. The intervention group additionally receives fluoroscopy-guided MLD. One control group additionally receives the traditional 'blind' MLD and a second control group receives a placebo MLD. All subjects receive 3 weeks of daily intensive treatments and 6 months of maintenance treatment. Follow-up period is 6 months. The primary outcomes are the reduction in lymphoedema volume of the arm/hand and the change in stagnation of lymph fluid at level of the shoulder/trunk.

Lymphedema Leads to Fat Deposition in Muscle and Decreased Muscle/Water Volume After Liposuction: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background: Lymphedema leads to adipose tissue deposition. Water–fat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can quantify and localize fat and water. The presence of excess fat and excess water/muscle in the subfascial compartment of the lymphedematous limb has not been investigated before. The aim of this study was to investigate epifascial and subfascial fat and water contents in patients with chronic lymphedema before and after liposuction.

Methods and Results: Seven patients with arm lymphedema and six with leg lymphedema were operated on. The limbs were examined with water–fat MRI before liposuction (baseline) and at five time points. Complete reduction of the excess limb volumes was achieved. The excess epifascial fat was evident in the edematous limbs and a drop was seen following surgery. There were differences in excess water at all time points. At 1 year there was a decrease in excess water. Excess subfascial fat was seen in the edematous limbs at all time points. Subfascial excess water/muscle did not show any differences after surgery. However, starting from 3 months there was less subfascial water/muscle compared with baseline.

Conclusions: Subfascial fat in the lymphedematous limbs did not change. In contrast, the water in the subfascial compartment was reduced over time, which may represent a decrease of muscle volume after treatment due to less mechanical load after liposuction. Using water–fat MRI-based fat quantification, the fat and water contents may be quantified and localized in the various compartments in lymphedema.

Intrarater Reliability of Tonometry and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy to Measure Tissue Compressibility and Extracellular Fluid in the Legs of Healthy Young People in Australia and Myanmar

BACKGROUND

Measurements of tissue compressibility and extracellular fluid (ECF) are used to monitor progression of lymphedema, a chronic swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. Later stages of lymphedema are characterized by fibrotic induration in the subcutis and hyperkeratosis of the skin. Several devices are available to measure these changes, but previous reliability and validity studies have been conducted primarily on adult women with unilateral arm lymphedema using contralateral limbs as controls. To date, no studies have included either adolescents or measurement of leg tissue.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An intrarater reliability study was conducted to compare three devices measuring skin and subcutaneous tissue compressibility; a mechanical Tonometer, a digital Indurometer, and a SkinFibroMeter. ECF loads were measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS). Two populations of tropical-dwelling young people were included; Australian residents in North Queensland aged 8-21 years (n = 34) and people aged 10-21 years residing in Central Myanmar (n = 38). Neither cohort had any clinical sign of lymphedema or other leg abnormality. The mechanical Tonometer and the digital Indurometer had excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores between 0.792 (95% CI 0.055-0.901) and 0.964 (95% CI 0.945-0.984) and the SkinFibroMeter had good to excellent reliability with ICC scores of between 0.565 (95% CI 0.384-0.747) and 0.877 (95% CI 0.815-0.840). BIS exhibited the highest reliability with ICC scores approaching 1.0.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the reliable use of tonometry and BIS to assess tissue compressibility and ECF loads in the legs of adolescent populations in developed and developing tropical countries.

Experimental and Analytical Comparisons of Tissue Dielectric Constant (TDC) and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) in Assessment of Early Arm Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients after Axillary Surgery and Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL) is of great importance for longstanding treatment results. Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) both have a potential for early diagnosis, but have not been compared.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One hundred women, treated for breast cancer with breast surgery, axillary dissection, and radiotherapy, were examined within one year after breast cancer treatment, as part of the follow-up procedure. Affected/at-risk and contralateral arms were measured with the TDC technique specific to localized skin water content and the BIS technique assessing arm extracellular fluid (ECF). Thirty-eight patients were clinically diagnosed for lymphedema (38.0%). The sensitivity and specificity for the TDC method were 65.8% and 83.9%, and for BIS method 42.1% and 93.5%, (p < 0.001 and NS), respectively. Of all lymphedema, 18.4% were detected only by TDC and 2.6% by BIS. Affected arm to contralateral arm TDC ratios for upper arm and forearm, 1.56 ± 0.49 and 1.28 ± 0.33, demonstrating the localized feature of the TDC measurements were significantly greater than the BIS arm ratio 1.12 ± 0.12 (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Discrepancies between TDC and BIS techniques in assessing lymphedema are related to different measurement techniques and assessed tissue water components. Independently of selected technique-specific threshold limit, the TDC technique was more sensitive than the BIS technique in the early assessment of BCRL and demonstrated that nearly 20% of early lymphedema are only superficially localized. The results further supported the complementary role of TDC and arm volume measurements as a highly diagnostic method for early lymphedema.