The Effect of CDT-Based Rehabilitation Nursing on Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema

Patients with breast cancer who receive surgical intervention face an elevated chance of developing breast cancer-associated lymphedema (BCRL) over their lifetime. This study was to evaluate the impact of rehabilitation nursing of affected limb incorporating complete decongestive therapy (CDT) on the progression of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients compared to conventional nursing. This study encompassed 101 cases of breast cancer patients undergoing radical surgery. The control group underwent conventional rehabilitation nursing, whereas the experimental group received rehabilitation nursing of affected limb based on CDT. The recovery outcomes of the two groups of patients were assessed by quantifying the upper limb circumference, joint mobility, limb functionality score, quality of life score and functional exercise compliance score before and after intervention. In contrast to traditional nursing, rehabilitation nursing of affected limb incorporates CDT demonstrated great advantages in lymphedema reduction, improvement of postoperative shoulder joint mobility, enhancement of limb function on the affected side, elevation of patient quality of life, and heightened adherence to functional exercises. The rehabilitation nursing of affected limb based on CDT may demonstrate significantly enhanced outcomes for BCRL.