Efectos de los ejercicios de resistencia en el linfedema posmastectomíauna revisión sistemática

Abstract

Objective The objective of this review was to test the effects of a resistance exercise programme in patients with or at risk of breast cancer-associated lymphoedema. Search strategy A literature search conducted during the month of February 2017 in the PubMed search engine and in the Medline, Cinahl, PEDro and Scopus databases using the following MESH terms: lymphedema, Exercise Therapy, Therapeutic exercise and Resistance Training. Selection of studies A total of 13 articles were obtained after the inclusion criteria were applied (clinical trials published in scientific journals between 01/01/2012 and 03/31/2017, in Spanish or English and with an exercise programme undertaken by women); and the exclusion criteria (duplicate articles and articles unrelated to the objective of the paper). Synthesis of results Most of the studies analysed were of poor methodological quality as measured by the PEDro scale. Women with breast cancer-associated lymphoedema participated in 11 studies and women at risk of postmastectomy lymphoedema participated in the remaining 2. The results of this review show that both women with breast cancer-associated lymphoedema and those at risk can undergo resistance training without exacerbating lymphoedema. Conclusion The data obtained suggest that these patients can carry out a resistance exercise programme without fear of exacerbating their disease, achieving in the process increased muscle strength and a better quality of life.