Johansson, K., Tibe, K., Weibull, A., & Newton, R.C. (2005). Low intensity resistance exercise for breast cancer patients with arm lymphedema with or without compression sleeve. Lymphology, 38(4), 167–180.

• Patients performed low-intensity resistance exercises for arm lymphedema with or without a compression sleeve.
• At least two weeks prior to start of the study, all participants had to wear a  compression sleeve according to their usual custom.
• Prior to entering study, the compression sleeve had to be no older than three months.
• The study had two training sessions, one with a compression sleeve and one without.

• The study sample was comprised of 31 patients.
• Patients were included in the study if they
  • Had unilateral arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment
  • Measured at 10%–40% greater arm volume in the the lymphedema arm compared to the contralateral arm
  • Had an onset of edema more than three months after surgery that persisted for at least six months
  • Were younger than 70 years of age.
• Patients were excluded from the study if they had recurrent cancer, another disease affecting the swollen limb, or language or cognitive limitations. 
• Of the 42 eligible patients identified and randomly asked to participate in the study, four declined because of distance and seven did not reach the 10% volume criteria.

The study took place at Lund University in Sweden.

• Arm volume was measured using water displacement.
• Multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to measure body composition.
• Subjective sensations using a visual analog scale rated heaviness and tightness.
• Perceived exertion was measured using the Borg scale.
• The Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess level of weekly exercise, lasting 30 minutes over the past year.

Results showed no difference in arm volume between the the group without the compression sleeve (n = 15) and the group with the compression sleeve (n = 16). Controlled acute arm exercise program with low-intensity weights produced a slight arm volume increase that was transient and disappeared after 24 hours in the affected arm in patients with breast cancer experiencing lymphedema.

Wearing compression sleeve during exercise did not influence arm volumes but should be worn as prescribed the rest of the time.

• The sample size was small.
• All patients in the study had mild-to-low-moderate lymphedema.

More research is needed to validate results.