Efficacy of the Traditional Chinese Medicine "Seven-Step Method" With Sleep Support Braces in Managing Postoperative Upper Limb Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative upper limb lymphedema affects 32%-55% of breast cancer patients and impairs quality of life. Standard treatments, including education and exercise, are often insufficient. In 2014, the U.S. NIH recommended complex decongestive therapy. Recently, integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) meridian theory into complex decongestive therapy has led to the "Seven-Step Method," which shows encouraging outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the TCM Seven-Step Method combined with sleep braces compared to conventional care in improving limb function and quality of life in breast cancer patients with postoperative upper limb lymphedema.

METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients randomized (n = 68 per arm) to conventional care or TCM "Seven-Step Method" + sleep braces applied daily over 6 wks. Outcomes included limb circumference, DASH, VRS pain, QOL-BREF scores, and satisfaction.

RESULTS: At weeks 2, 4, and 6, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in limb circumference. DASH, VRS pain, and QOL-BREF scores also improved significantly, with higher satisfaction than controls.

CONCLUSIONS: The TCM Seven-Step Method combined with sleep braces significantly improves limb function, reduces pain, and enhances quality of life in breast cancer patients with lymphedema, offering an effective complementary therapy.