Reference: Hasenoehrl T, Palma S, Ramazanova D, et al. Resistance exercise and breast cancer-related lymphedema-a systematic review update and meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2020;28(8):3593-3603. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05521-x
Summary/Key Points:
This systematic review compiled several articles regarding resistance exercise (RE) with breast cancer survivors (BCS) and its implications on breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). All studies reviewed had to analyze lymphedema, breast cancer, and resistance, weight, or strengthening exercises. BCS subjects could be post-surgical, in chemotherapy, physically inactive, interlimb differences due to lymphedema, or over-weight.
The different resistance exercises included: no resistance to progressively increased repetition maximums (RM) for major muscle groups of the upper extremity (UE), lower extremity (LE), and core. Specific exercises included: Chest press, latissimus pulldowns, triceps extension, bicep curls, leg press, abdominal crunches, lower back and knee extension, shoulder flexion,
abduction, and external and internal rotation, protraction and retraction of shoulder blades, wrist flexion and extension, ball pressing and moving, dumbbell fly, one-arm bent over row, squats on a chair, step-ups, kickbacks, split-leg lunges, and side lunges. They also utilized walking, dancing, ballgames, massage, and relaxation for treatment.
This systematic review reported positive beneficial effects on BCRL in BCS utilizing the same LE (lymphedema) outcome parameters following resistance exercising. They also completed a meta-analysis on 6 studies that utilized bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and they reported significant reduction of BCRL in BCS along with significant increased strength for upper and lower extremities.