Educational Program on Self-Management for Women with Post-Mastectomy Lymphedema

Assiut University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Post Mastectomy Lymphedema

Treatments: Other: Self-management educational program for post mastectomy lymphedema women

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06591871

Lymphedema Post mastectomy

Details and patient eligibility

About

Post mastectomy lymphedema is a chronic disease that negatively affect physical, social, psychological and emotional well-being, so Patient education regarding self-management is crucial to enhance women's self -care and quality of life.

Full description

Improvement in screening and treatment modalities of breast cancer has translated into higher survival rates in these patients. Unfortunately, this gain in survival leading to high prevalence of serious consequences of cancer treatments. Among these, post mastectomy lymphedema. It was estimated that 10 million women had breast cancer- related lymphedema (BCRL) worldwide, with 3-5 million affected in the United States. Approximately one in five women undergoing breast cancer surgery at risk for developing lymphedema .

Post-mastectomy lymphedema is a chronic and progressive tissue swelling caused by the abnormal buildup of protein-rich fluids in the interstitial space due to disrupted lymphatic drainage. This swelling results in physical symptoms such as heaviness, pain, decreased flexibility or tightness, stiffness, fatigue and numbness in the affected extremity. Its long-term burden extends beyond these physical symptoms, to significantly impact social, psychological, emotional functioning .also pose financial burdens to patients, the healthcare system, and society which lead to poor quality of life .

Lymphedema self-management constitutes the standard lymphedema treatment that should be maintained throughout life. In this context, the nurse's role becomes magnified. Self-management is the ability of individual to manage one's own chronic condition, encompassing the management of symptoms

, physical and psychosocial impacts, treatment, and incorporating these management practices into daily activities to attain optimal quality of life.

Nurses contribute significantly in management of post mastectomy lymphedema through educating the patients about lymphedema self-care behaviors which are important to control lymphedema symptoms, decrease lymphedema stages and prevent further progression of the disease. Lymphedema self-care involves maintaining risk-reduction behaviors, exercising, weight control, good nutrition, healthy lifestyle behaviors, caring and proper fit of compression garments, self-lymph drainage, skin care, signs and symptoms, preventing and managing infections.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 30 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• women diagnosed with post-mastectomy lymphedema,free from other disabling conditions impeding self-care practices, No prior participation in lymphedema-related educational programs, and provided an agreement for participation in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Women with mental problems
• Unable to communicate with health team

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 1 patient group

Forty women with post-mastectomy lymphedema participated in this study.

Experimental group

Description:

Forty women with post-mastectomy lymphedema participated in this study. All were free from other disabling conditions impeding self-care practices, hadn't previously received any educational programs about post-mastectomy lymphedema. The educational program was implemented through (5) sessions; (2 theoretical \& 3 practical). Theoretical part included the following: a brief overview of anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, definition, causes, signs and symptoms, risk factors, stages, diagnosis and complications of post mastectomy lymphedema, also instructions about general practices for preventing and managing infection, hand and arm care, a healthy nutrition and when you call your physician. While, the practical part included the use of compression bandages, garments and their care, upper extremity lymphedema exercises and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massage. Each session lasted 45 to 60 minutes and was conducted individually or in small groups of 2-3 women.

Treatment:

Other: Self-management educational program for post mastectomy lymphedema women