Abstract

Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy is used to treat lymphedema and lower limb edema in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. The aims of this study were to clarify the effects of IPC on lower limb edema and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and to determine the relevant factors in breast cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and IPC for treating the lower limb edema, in an effort to optimize nursing care for such patients in outpatient clinics.
Methods: Participants were interviewed to obtain demographic and clinical data using a questionnaire designed for this study. HRQOL and foot edema were also quantified. HRQOL was assessed using a Japanese version of the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life (WHOQOL) assessment. Foot edema was evaluated by measuring calf and ankle circumference, as well as hip abduction and ankle flexion.
Results: The calf and ankle circumference, and ankle flexion significantly decreased 1 week after implementing IPC therapy, but there was no significant change in hip abduction. Scores of all domains of the WHOQOL assessment significantly increased 12 weeks after administering IPC therapy. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that time since surgery and age were significantly associated with the change in ankle circumference, and that being overweight (body mass index ≥25) was significantly associated with social relationships and global QOL domains.
Conclusions: Nurses in outpatient clinics should be cognizant of a patient’s time since surgery, age, and body-mass index before implementation of IPC therapy to provide optimal nursing care.