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Adherence and Quality of Life

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Lymphedema

Abstract

Individuals with lymphedema navigate a particularly complex treatment and self-management regimen, making adherence difficult. It is essential that these individuals conduct lifelong self-care activities to control the progression of swelling, manage lymphedema-associated symptom burden, and minimize long-term negative outcomes (e.g., elephantiasis). Situational, physiological, and psychological factors have the potential to impact adherence to lymphedema management behaviors. It is important for healthcare providers to understand the factors that might influence adherence, as many studies of chronic conditions have shown that adherence improves health-related quality of life. Empirical evidence, however, is lacking for specific behaviors that improve the health-related quality of life of individuals with lymphedema. We postulate that adherence to lymphedema management behaviors decreases symptom burden (i.e., progressive increases in swelling, infection, etc.) and thus facilitates an increase in health-related quality of life. Given the importance of lymphedema self-care, healthcare professionals need to assess and address situational, physiological, and psychological factors that influence adherence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN37240, USA

    Sheila Ridner PhD, RN, FAAN, Jie Deng PhD, RN, OCN & Bethany Andrews Rhoten

Authors
  1. Sheila Ridner PhD, RN, FAAN
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  2. Jie Deng PhD, RN, OCN
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  3. Bethany Andrews Rhoten
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Sheila Ridner PhD, RN, FAAN or Bethany Andrews Rhoten .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Ridner, S., Deng, J., Rhoten, B.A. (2018). Adherence and Quality of Life. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_39

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

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