Hussein Gamal Hussein Mogahed, Manar Mohamed Badawy, Nesma Morgan Abdel Aziz

Abstract

Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser diode therapy on post-mastectomy lymphedema and pain. Methods: Thirty female patients suffering from unilateral post-mastectomy shoulder lymphedema and pain were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group (A) received low-level laser diode therapy plus a traditional physical therapy program. Group (B) received placebo low-level laser diode therapy plus a traditional physical therapy program. Treatment sessions were three times per week for 3 months for each group. Volumetric measurement and visual analog scale were used to assess post-mastectomy lymphedema and pain respectively. Outcome measures were evaluated before and after the treatment period. Results: Lymphedema volume was decreased significantly in the laser group more than the placebo group (-108.4 ml) mean difference by volumetric measurement. The pain was decreased significantly in the laser group more than the placebo group (-0.1333 degree) mean difference by visual analog scale. Conclusion: Low-level laser diode therapy had a valuable effect on the treatment of post-mastectomy lymphedema and pain‎.