King, M., Deveaux, A., White, H., & Rayson, D. (2012). Compression garments versus compression bandaging in decongestive lymphatic therapy for breast cancer-related lymphedema: A randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 1031–1036.

To compare effects of compression garment versus compression bandaging in women receiving complete decongestive therapy for arm lymphedema

Therapy for all patients included manual lymphatic drainage five days per week over a two-week period. During initial treatment, patients were randomly assigned to wear a compression glove and sleeve or compression bandages day and night as tolerated. At the end of two weeks, all were provided with a new sleeve and glove, which was worn only during the day. They were instructed in skin care. Participants completed study measurement of lymphedema at baseline and on days 5 and 10 and then at 3 months.

• N  23       
• MEAN AGE = 60.5 (range = 44–76)
• FEMALES: 100%

• Randomized, controlled trial

• Arm circumference measurement
• Water displacement for arm volume
• Visual analogue scales (VAS) scaes for pain, heaviness, and tension of the arm
• Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire

There were no difference between groups in arm volume or DASH scores at 10 week or 3 months. There were no differences between groups in VAS symptom scores. There was a trend toward lower arm volumes but higher DASH scores with compression bandaging.

Findings showed no significant differences in effect of compression bandaging versus use of compression garments during the first two weeks of therapy for arm lymphedema.

• Key sample group differences that could influence results

Findings suggest that compression garment and compression bandaging use during initial phase of CDT for arm lymphedema yielded similar results. There was a trend suggesting lower arm volume, but higher disability scores with bandaging; however, no firm conclusions can be drawn due to lack of statistical significance and the small sample size. Ongoing work is important to determine which treatment approaches are better tolerated by patients and degree of comparative effectiveness combined with tolerance.