UNASSIGNED: A multi-database search was undertaken. Only studies which included adults with lymphoedema who were treated with heat or cold therapy reporting any outcome were included. Screening, data extraction, and assessment of bias were undertaken by a single reviewer and verified by a second. Due to the substantial heterogeneity, a descriptive synthesis was undertaken.
UNASSIGNED: Eighteen studies were included. All nine studies which assessed the effects of heat-therapy on changes in limb circumference reported a point estimate indicating some reduction from baseline to end of study. Similarly, the five studies evaluating the use of heat-therapy on limb volume demonstrated a reduction in limb volume from baseline to end-of-study. Only four studies reported adverse events of which all were deemed to be minor. Only two studies explored the effects of cold therapy on lymphoedema.
UNASSIGNED: Tentative evidence suggests heat-therapy may have some benefit in treating lymphoedema with minimal side effects. However, further high-quality randomised controlled trials are required, with a particular focus on moderating factors and assessment of adverse events.Implications for rehabilitationThis review highlights the potential benefit that heat therapy may have on reducing limb circumference and volume for adults with lymphoedema.There was no evidence that controlled localised heat therapy was unsafe.The current evidence-base is at a point where no specific clinical recommendations can be made.The use of heat therapy should only be applied as part of a methodologically robust study to treat lymphoedema.
■进行了多数据库搜索。仅包括接受热或冷疗法治疗并报告任何结果的患有淋巴水肿的成人的研究。筛选,数据提取,和偏见的评估由一名审阅者进行,并由一秒钟验证。由于巨大的异质性,进行了描述性综合。
■共纳入18项研究。所有九项评估热疗对肢体周长变化影响的研究都报告了一个点估计,表明从基线到研究结束都有所减少。同样,5项评估热疗对肢体体积的影响的研究表明,从基线到研究结束,肢体体积减少.只有4项研究报告了所有被认为是轻微的不良事件。只有两项研究探讨了冷疗对淋巴水肿的影响。
■初步证据表明,热疗在治疗淋巴水肿方面可能有一些益处,副作用最小。然而,需要进一步的高质量随机对照试验,特别关注调节因素和不良事件评估。对康复的影响该综述强调了热疗法可能对减少成人淋巴水肿的肢体周长和体积的潜在益处。没有证据表明受控的局部热疗是不安全的。当前的证据基础处于无法提出具体临床建议的地步。热疗的使用应仅作为方法学上可靠研究的一部分来治疗淋巴水肿。