Table 3.

Interventions in included studies

Study/citation	Components of intervention	Duration and frequency of intervention	Comparator	Outcomes measured	Measurement method
Complex decongestive treatment (CDT/CDPT/DLT)
Dayes et al. 201335,a	Intensive phase: MLD and short stretch compression bandaging (Vodder or Foldi method); advice re skin care, exercise, and maintenance of healthy body weight.Followed by maintenance phase: elastic compression garments; exercise, skin care, maintenance of healthy body weight.	5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions).Subsequent maintenance treatment with daily self-care	Compression therapy: daily self treatment, as per maintenance phase, see below	1. EAV2. HRQOL3. Limb function	1. Manual circumference measurement2. Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)3. Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire
Gradalski et al. 201582,b	Multi-layer compression bandaging and Vodder II method MLD, exercise and deep diaphragmatic breathing.Followed by maintenance phase: exercise, compression garment, arm and skin care.	5× per week for 2 weeks (10 sessions). Followed by 6 months daily self-care.	Compression bandaging 5× per week for 2 weeks (10 sessions), followed by 6 months maintenance phase of daily self-care, see below.	1. EAV2. HRQOL3. Patient-perceived treatment benefit	1. Manual circumference measurement2. non-validated lymphedema questionnaire3. VAS: desire to continue treatment
Haghighat et al. 201375,a,c	CDT phase I: Vodder method MLD; multi-layer short-stretch bandages; remedial exercise (not specified); skin care.	5× per week for 2–3 weeks (10–15 sessions).	None	1. EAV2. Symptom of arm heaviness	1. Water displacement2. VAS
Hwang et al. 201379,b,d	CDT phase I: 1 hour MLD, multi-layer low stretch compression bandaging, remedial exercises, skin care.CDT phase II: compression garments daytime, self-bandage night-time; self-MLD/self-massage; exercise; skin care.	5× per week for 2 weeks (10 sessions).Then daily self-treatment plus 3 times per week night-time self-bandaging.	None	1. EAV	1. Perometry
Kim et al. 201080,b	Termed ‘Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDPT)’Intensive phase: MLD, compression therapy, exercise, breathing exercises.Maintenance phase: self-CDPT	5× per week for 2 weeks (10 sessions). Then 6 weeks self-administered CDPT.	Complex Decongestive Therapy plus Active Resistive Exercise (CDPT+ARE), see below	1. HRQOL	1. SF-36
Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) and active resistive exercise (ARE)
Kim et al. 201080,b	Intensive phase: MLD, compression bandage, exercises and breathing exercises, plus Active Resistive Exercise (ARE) program using 0.5 kg dumbbell.Maintenance phase: self-CDPT+ARE using 1 kg dumbbell (if tolerated), wearing hosiery.	5× per week for 2 weeks (10 sessions).Then 6 weeks self-administered CDPT+ARE.	CDPT, see above	1. HRQOL	1. SF-36
Compression bandaging (CB) and manual lymph drainage (MLD)
McNeely et al. 200436,a	Short stretch bandages plus 45 minutes daily Vodder method MLD. Education re arm care and skin care.	5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions)	CB 5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions), see below	1. EAV	1. Water displacement & manual circumference measurement
Compression bandaging (CB)
McNeely et al. 200436,a	Short stretch bandages. Education re arm care and skin care.	5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions)	CB+MLD 5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions), see above	1. EAV	1. Water displacement & manual circumference measurement
Compression therapy
Dayes et al. 201335,a	Elastic compression garments, advice re skin care, exercise and maintenance of healthy body weight.	Daily self-care with compression garments worn 12 hours per day	CDT, 5× per week for 4 weeks (20 sessions). Subsequent maintenance treatment with daily self-care, see above	1. EAV2. HRQOL3. Limb function	1. Manual circumference measurement2. SF-363. DASH questionnaire
Low level laser therapy (LLLT)
Kaviani et al. 200681,b	Laser diode (product specified), output power 10 Watts at 890 nm wavelength. Treatment to five points in axilla at 1 cm distance from skin, energy density 1.5J/cm2	3x per week for 3 weeks, then 8 week break, then 3x per week for 3 more weeks. (18 sessions).	Sham irradiation as per LLLT, total 18 sessions. Double-blinded conditions for sham laser not specified.	1. Symptom of arm heaviness2. Limb function3. Patient-perceived treatment benefit	1. VAS2. Goniometry: range of movement3. VAS: desire to continue treatment

EAV, excess arm volume; HRQOL, health-related quality of life; MLD, manual lymph drainage; VAS, visual analogue scale.

^aSubgroup with BCRL duration <12 months.

^bMean duration ≤9 months.

^cProspective before and after (uncontrolled) study.

^dRetrospective case review (uncontrolled) study.