The effect of Combined Decongestive Therapy and Pneumatic Compression Pump on Body Image in Patients with Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: lymphedema is a common complication for breast cancer therapy. patients with lymphedema may experience pain and body image issues. this study investigates the effect of combined decongestive therapy and pneumatic compression pump on body image in patients with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. methods: fourty-two women with breast cancer-related lymphedema participated in this study. all patients completed the body image and relationships scale. researchers divided the participants randomly into either an intervention (n=21) or a control group (n=21). a certified nurse worked on combined decongestive therapy in the intervention group in two phases. in the first phase, cdt was accompanied with compression pump for four weeks, three days per week. in the second phase, cdt was performed daily without compression pump for four weeks by patients at home. at the end of each phase, both groups completed the questionnaire. researchers analyzed the data using spss 17. results: the total score of the body image and relationships scale increased insignificantly in the intervention group and significantly in the control group. in this regard, both groups had statistically significant differences at different phases of study. gaining a higher score in this questionnaire indicates a weaker body image. conclusion: although combined decongestive therapy techniques did not improve body image in the intervention group, there is hope for treatment of lymphedema in this group to prevent deterioration in body image over time. in the control group who were not treated, body image became weaker over the time.