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Wed, 11 Mar
|WA 3pm, AEST 5pm, SA 5.30, AEDT 6pm, NZ 8pm
March Journal Club
A Literature Review on MLD in prevention of lymphoedema after breast cancer. A reading guide will be uploaded early March.
Date & Timezones
11 Mar 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
WA 3pm, AEST 5pm, SA 5.30, AEDT 6pm, NZ 8pm
Therapists
Goolge Meet Instructions
Abstract
Background: Secondary lymphoedema is a significant and life-changing complication following breast cancer treatment. Numerous studies have investigated its management following its occurrence, but very few have focused on its prevention. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is part of the gold standard management regime for lymphoedema. The purpose of this review is to gather and present the most contemporary available evidence in an attempt to find out whether MLD aids in the prevention of lymphoedema, or delays its occurrence, if initiated shortly after the medical management (surgery, chemo- or radiotherapy). Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar, searching for randomised controlled trials published from 2010 onwards. Results: In total 7 RCTs with 622 patients were identified. Most of the studies showed favourable results for the preventive effect of MLD. Conclusions: Our results showed that MLD might have…