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Efficacy and effect on serum VEGF-C of mild moxibustion plus functional exercise for upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery

温和灸加功能锻炼治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的疗效及对血清VEGF-C 的影响

  • Clinical Study
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Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To observe the efficacy of mild moxibustion combined with functional exercise in the treatment of upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery and its effect on serum vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C).

Methods

Seventy-eight patients were divided into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method, with 39 cases in each group. The control group received functional exercise and the observation group received mild moxibustion plus functional exercise. The differences in circumference between the two upper limbs, the lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb, the disability of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score, the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast (FACT-B) score and serum VEGF-C level between the two groups were compared before and after treatment. Efficacy was evaluated after treatment.

Results

The total effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The difference in circumference between the two upper limbs of the two groups decreased significantly after treatment (both P<0.05), but it was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb of the two groups increased significantly after treatment (both P<0.05), but it was significantly greater in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The DASH scores of the two groups decreased significantly after treatment (both P<0.05), but it was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The FACT-B scores of the two groups increased significantly after treatment (both P<0.05), but it was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum VEGF-C level increased significantly in the observation group (P<0.05), whereas the control group did not show significant change (P>0.05). The post-treatment serum VEGF-C level was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The efficacy of mild moxibustion combined with functional exercise for upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery is certain, which can reduce the difference in circumference between the two upper limbs, increase the lymphatic flow of the affected upper limb, improve the limb function and the quality of life, and regulate the serum VEGF-C level.

摘要

目的

观察温和灸加功能锻炼治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿的疗效及其对血清血管内皮生长因子C(VEGF-C)的影响.

方法

将78例患者根据随机数表法分为对照组和观察组, 每组39例. 对照组接受功能锻炼治疗, 观察组在功能锻炼基础上加用温和灸. 治疗前后比较两组患者的两上臂周径差值、 上肢淋巴流量、 上肢功能障碍评定量表(DASH)评分、 乳腺癌患者生命质量测定量表(FACT-B)评分及血清VEGF-C水平. 治疗结束后评价疗效.

结果

观察组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05). 治疗后, 两组两上臂周径差值均减小(均P<0.05), 观察组两上臂周径差值小于对照组(P<0.05); 两组上肢淋巴流量均增加(均P<0.05), 观察组上肢淋巴流量大于对照组(P<0.05); 两组DASH评分均降低(均P<0.05), 观察组DASH评分低于对照组(P<0.05); 两组FACT-B评分均升高(均P<0.05), 观察组FACT-B评分高于对照组(P<0.05); 对照组血清VEGF-C水平无显著变化(P<0.05), 观察组血清VEGF-C水平明显升高(P<0.05), 且高于对照组(P<0.05).

结论

温和灸加功能锻炼治疗乳腺癌术后上肢淋巴水肿疗效肯定, 可减少两上臂周径差值, 增加淋巴流量, 改善患肢功能及患者生命质量, 调节血清VEGF-C水平.

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Acknowledgments

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi, 830054, China

    Xiang-li Hu  (胡向丽) & Fang Chen  (陈芳)

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  1. Xiang-li Hu  (胡向丽)
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  2. Fang Chen  (陈芳)
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Correspondence to Xiang-li Hu  (胡向丽).

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All participants were informed and consented to participate in this study.

Author: Hu Xiang-li, bachelor, nurse-in-charge.

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Hu, Xl., Chen, F. Efficacy and effect on serum VEGF-C of mild moxibustion plus functional exercise for upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. J. Acupunct. Tuina. Sci. 19, 307–312 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-021-1253-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11726-021-1253-9

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