The effectiveness of lymphedema school in preventing the development and management of lymphedema
Project no. 20669 · Status: Kapanmış · 2020
Summary
<p> In this project, which was carried out to examine the effectiveness of the Lymphedema School in the management of lymphedema, the characteristics and effects of the 3 different groups in lymphedema management were examined. These groups; the group with a diagnosis of lower extremity lymphedeam (LEL), the group with a diagnosis of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and the group with breast cancer surgery but not yet developed lymphedema. A face-to-face lymphedema school was organized for each group for three weeks, four hours a week, by a multidisciplinary team, which included self-care management in lymphedema specific to the relevant group. The studies were conducted prospectively in accordance with the single-group quasi-experimental research model. Data from patients with LEL were collected using a patient diagnosis form, "Lower Extremity Functional Scale", "Lymphedema Functionality, Disability and Quality of Life Scale in Lower Extremity Lymphedema", "Body Value Scale" and extremity volume measurements. For BRCL group, data were collected by the patient diagnosis form, "Self-Care Scale for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema", "Lymphedema Quality of Life Scale - arm", "Upper Extremity Lymphedema Evaluation Scale", "Body Value Scale" and body mass index, hand grip strength and arm collected by volume measurements. For the breast cancer surgery group, data was collected with the scales "Lymphedema Quality of Life Scale-arm," "Upper Extremity Lymphedema Evaluation Scale," "Body Value Scale," and body mass index, hand grip strength, and arm volume measurements. The data were analyzed in the SPSS 24 program. It has been found that lymphedema school improves functionality, quality of life and reduces lymphedema volume in patients with LEL. It has been observed that it increases self-care, improves the quality of life, improves lymphedema-related features, decreases arm volume, increases hand grip strength, and decreases BMI in women with BRCL. Lymphedema school is a safe and effective method of education for lymphedema self-management.</p>