Johansson, K., Klernas, P., Weibull, A., & Mattsson, S. (2014). A home-based weight lifting program for patients with arm lymphedema following breast cancer treatment: A pilot and feasibility study. Lymphology, 47, 51–64.

To determine whether an at-home weight lifting program was feasible and effective in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema

Prior to the start of the intervention, all participants wore compression garments according to their usual protocols (determined from the previous three months, day and night or day only) for two weeks. All garments had to be less than one month old and be of at least Compression Class (CCL) II. At the end of the control period, patients introduced resistance exercises over a four-week period, beginning with five repetitions and ending with 10 repetitions maximum. If lymphedema was not exacerbated, weights were increased by .5–1 kg every other session until the 10-repetition maximum was reached. After the four-week introduction period, patients were provided with flexible dumbbells ranging from .5–12 kg and were asked to exercise three times per week with at least one day between sessions. Patients performed four sets of the following exercises in this order, resting one to three minutes between each set: 1) shoulder flexion in a standing position, 2) shoulder adduction, 3) elbow extension in a supine position, and 4) elbow flexion in sitting position. Patients used 50% of the recommended weight for the first set and the full weight for the remaining three sets. Weight resistance levels were individually adjusted according to guidelines by the American College of Sports Medicine. Patients completed a minimum of eight repetitions per set when possible, and weight was increased by .5 kg when patients could complete more than 12 repetitions per set. Participants were not required to wear a compression garment during the exercises, but they were to put it on immediately following the exercises. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention.

• N = 23 (10 women participated in an additional study)
• AVERAGE AGE = 58 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast cancer
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients had to be less than 70 years old 

• SITE: Single-site    
• SETTING TYPE: Home    
• LOCATION: Sweden

• PHASE OF CARE: Late effects and survivorship

Pre/post pilot study

• Log book (i.e., wearing compression garment, completing exercises per protocol)
• Water displacement method
• Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Body weight
• Isometric muscle strength device

All patients in the study followed the minimum criteria for the protocol (exercise at least two times per week). All patients who participated had lymphedema (mean lymphedema relative volume was 19.6%, SD = 11.7%, range = 5.1%–53.5%). No significant changes in arm volume were observed during the control period. At the completion of the intervention, there was a significant reduction in absolute volume from 448 ml to 427 ml (p < .03) and relative volume from 19.2% to 18% (p < .005). Multiple muscle groups showed an improvement in strength at the conclusion of the study period (shoulder flexors p = .001, shoulder adductors p = .001, elbow flexors p = .003, and elbow extensors p = .002). Ten additional participants took part in a study with an MRI. There was no significant reduction in arm volume for these participants after the intervention.

This home-based weight lifting program did not exacerbate or worsen lymphedema in this study. Participants saw some improvement in absolute arm volume and relative arm volume at the conclusion of the 12-week study period. Additional improvements were seen in the strength of multiple muscle groups. Overall, patients found the study to be feasible, and the majority of patients were at least minimally compliant with the exercise protocol.

• Small sample (< 30)
• Risk of bias (no control group)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no random assignment) 
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)  
• Other limitations/explanation: It is unclear how much the participants exercised prior to the intervention.

A home-based exercise program was acceptable for women with lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Women were able to complete the minimum requirements of the protocol and exercise at least twice per week for 12 weeks. Nurses should assess women for readiness to participate in home-based exercise programs and provide appropriate recommendations for those who are motivated to participate in such a program. Home-based weight lifting is safe for patients with lymphedema and does not make lymphedema worse. In addition, weight lifting improves the strength of multiple muscle groups.