Table 1.

Qualitative analysis

Research question/aim	Design	Participants	Methods	Findings	Country and year	Reference
To explore patient's perceptions of breast cancer‐related arm lymphoedema and the factors that may be associated with these perceptions.	Mixed qualitative/quantitative descriptive study	37 women with arm lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment referred to a specialist lymphoedema service.	Semi‐structured interviews, one at beginning of 6‐month study period and one at end. Thematic analysis.	Main themes: Early on. – Swelling induced shock and fear that cancer had returned. – A reminder of treatment. – Poor information. – Experiencing discomfort. Improvement over 6‐month period in: – Coming to terms with the swelling. (linked to reduction in swelling). – Self‐perception. – Discomfort.	UK	(16)
To explore the influence of sociological factors and psychosocial implications that arm swelling has for the patient.	Descriptive study	40 women with arm swelling presenting at an established hospital‐based lymphoedema service.	– Semi‐structured interviews with thematic analysis. – Limb measurement. – Demographic analysis. t‐test of significance to explore relationship between limb size and demography.	Main themes: – Fear, anger and disappointment at appearance of swelling. – Lack of awareness. – Adaptation through experience, trial and error. – Importance of outward appearance. – Hiding the swelling. – Older women had significantly greater limb volume (P < 0·01). – Women working outside the home had significantly larger swollen arms (P < 0·01) – Arm size significantly related to longer period of swelling (P < 0·05).	UK 1995	(17)
To explore women's experiences of lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment.	Phenomenology	10 women: – Age 36–75 years. – All had completed treatment at least 1 year earlier. – Onset of lymphoedema at least 2 months after surgery. – Mean survival time since treatment = 7 years	Two semi‐structure interviews and completion of the Demographic Data Sheet (DDS).	Three main themes: – Abandonment by medicine. – Concealing the imperfect image. – Living the interrupted life.	US 1997	(18)
To explore the meaning of surviving with breast cancer‐related lymphoedema and to explore the psychological impact of living with lymphoedema.	Grounded theory	20 women aged 48–71 years. All had breast/axillary surgery and/or radiotherapy for breast cancer between 1 and 10 years previously with average being 5·5 years and had developed lymphoedema 1–8 years previously.	Random allocation of participants to one of four focus groups to discuss question: ‘what is it like living with lymphoedema?’	Three main categories: – Finding information. – Suffering silently. – Counting blessings. One main theme: Finding out information for women with breast cancer‐ related lymphoedema can help to ease their sense of anxiety and loss and increase ability to adapt to a changed life.	UK 2001	(19)
To explore employed women's experiences of light or moderate lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment.	Phenomenology	12 women representing all women attending lymphoedema clinic at University Hospital in Sweden – Arm lymphoedema less than 40% – Had breast cancer treatment. – Work outside the home. – Lymphoedema for at least 1 year.	One semi‐structured interview. Phenomenological analysis based on Karlsson's approach.	Three themes: – Reactions from others. – Being bound to a chronic disease. – Coping.	Sweden 2003	(20)
To describe women's experiences with lower limb lymphoedema to inform both preventative and management clinical practice.	Retrospective survey	82 women with lower limb lymphoedema after surgical and radiation treatment for gynaecological cancers.	One structured interview.	Three main themes: – Seeking help and receiving inappropriate advice. – Having to implement self‐ management strategies. – Impact on appearance, mobility, finances and self‐ image.	Australia 2003	(21)