Endermologie (with and without compression bandaging)--a new treatment option for secondary arm lymphedema.

Two treatment protocols are presented using the LPG Endermologie system in combination with compression bandaging as a new treatment option for secondary arm lymphedema. Both protocols were applied 4 days a week for 4 weeks but differed in Trial II in time spent clearing the regions of the trunk adjacent to the swollen limb and the addition of a larger treatment head so that a greater area could be covered more quickly. The first protocol involved 24 women and the second involved 10 women. At the end of the treatment period, both protocols demonstrated overall reductions in limb volume (134mls; 18.3% p = 0.000 and 185mls; 28%, p = 0.002), limb fluid (182mls; 28%, p = 0.000 and 216mls; 33%. p = 0.014), truncal fluid (342mls; p = 0.002 and 290mls; p = 0.066), improvements in fibrotic induration in some lymphatic territories, and significant improvements in subject reporting of heaviness, tightness, tissue hardness and limb size. Trial II demonstrated additional benefits in terms of reduction in whole arm volume at 24 hours, improved fluid and arm volume reductions, and a significant improvement in subject reported arm range of movement. The additional time spent clearing the regions adjacent to the swollen limb in the second protocol appears to produce an increase in limb volume and limb fluid loss compared to the original treatment protocol.