Influence of social support in the therapeutic response of arm lymphedema after breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: To assess the dimensions of social support as predictors of therapeutic response in women with lymphedema submitted to Complex Physical Therapy. Methods: Analytical study in women with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. The percentage of the reduction in excess limb volume between the beginning and the end of treatment was considered outcome (treatment response). The mean score of the social support in each dimension, measured at the beginning of treatment by Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire, was considered as predictive variable. Results: We studied 57 women with a mean age of 62.87 years (SD=10.02). Lymphedema was present, on average, for 60.90 months (SD=62.98). Evaluation of social support at the beginning of treatment of lymphedema has shown that social support materials showed the worst score with a median of 80.00 (20–100), followed by the information as social support with 90.00 (20–100). The treatment of lymphedema was performed, on average, for 24 days (SD=12.38). The percentage of excess volume at the beginning of the treatment was 44.20% (SD=26.83) and at the end 29.18% (SD=17.09), corresponding to an average reduction percentage of 15.02% (SD=13.21) (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the dimensions of social support prior to treatment and therapy response of lymphedema. Conclusion: Social support was not a predictor of better treatment response in patients undergoing treatment of upper limb lymphedema.