Sliding-cupping along meridian for lymphedema after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy difference between sliding-cupping along meridian combined with short-stretch elastic bandage wrapping and comprehensive detumescence therapy in treating lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. MethodsSixty patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery were randomly divided into the sliding-cupping group and the comprehensive detumescence therapy (CDT) group, with 30 cases in each one. The sliding-cupping group used the sliding-cupping along meridian therapy, and the sliding-cupping was applied along the three yin meridians and three yang meridians on the hand of the affected-side upper limbs, continuing for 25–30 min. After the sliding-cupping was finished, the affected limb was wrapped with the short-stretch elastic bandage. The CDT group was treated with comprehensive detumescence therapy (CDT). Both groups were treated once a day, with14 times as one course of treatment, and there was totally 1 course of treatment. The changes of circumferences before and after treatment of the affected limb were measured by a flexible ruler, and the efficacy was evaluated. The subcutaneous tissue thickness and the full skin layer thickness of the patients with moderate to severe edema in sliding-cupping group were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. ResultsAfter treatment, the circumferences at the cubital crease, 5 cm above olecranon, and 10 cm above the olecranon of the affected limbs in the sliding-cupping group were (26.02 ± 2.42) cm, (28.43 ± 3.13) cm, and (30.05 ± 2.80) cm respectively, which were all reduced compared with the pre-treatment circumference (27.95 ± 3.00) cm, (30.80 ± 3.38) cm, and (32.17 ± 2.96 cm). In the sliding-cupping group, the post-treatment subcutaneous tissue thicknesses at 5 cm above the olecranon, 10 cm above the olecranon and 5 cm below the olecranon, and full skin layer thickness at 10 cm below the olecranon of the 15 patients with moderate to severe edema were (8.71 ± 2.83) cm, (8.53 ± 2.4) cm, (6.46 ± 1.38) cm, and (1.61 ± 0.17) cm respectively, which were all reduced compared with pre-treatment (11.90 ± 3.56) cm, (11.84 ± 3.27) cm, (9.12 ± 1.84) cm, and (1.87 ± 0.23) cm, and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate of the sliding-cupping group was 86.6%, and the total effective rate of the CDT group was 80%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionCompared with CDT, the sliding-cupping along meridian combined with short-stretch elastic bandage wrapping for the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery was more effective.