• Justin C Brown, Anagha Kumar, Andrea L Cheville, Julia C Tchou, Andrea B Troxel, Susan R Harris, and Kathryn H Schmitz.
• From the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JCB, AK, JCT, ABT, KHS); Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (ALC); and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (SRH).
• Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Apr 1;94(4):288-96.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether adherence to self-care modalities for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) predicts BCRL outcomes among 128 breast cancer survivors who participated in the 12-mo physical activity and lymphedema trial.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study. Adherence to ten BCRL self-care modalities, as recommended in the clinical practice guidelines for the management of BCRL, was assessed by a questionnaire at baseline. BCRL outcomes assessed at baseline and 12 mos included volumetry, circumferences, bioimpedence spectroscopy, the Norman lymphedema survey, and therapist-defined lymphedema exacerbations requiring treatment. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the relationship between adherence to BCRL self-care modalities and the likelihood of experiencing a BCRL outcome.ResultsAdherence to BCRL self-care activities did not predict experiencing any BCRL outcomes at 12 mos. Levels of adherence to BCRL self-care modalities did not predict a 5% or greater decrease in interlimb volume (Ptrend = 0.79), 5% or greater decrease in the sum of interlimb arm circumferences (Ptrend = 0.47), 10% or greater decrease in bioimpedence spectroscopy (Ptrend = 0.83), 1 or greater decrease in self-reported lymphedema symptoms (Ptrend = 0.91), or therapist-defined lymphedema exacerbation requiring treatment (Ptrend = 0.84).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that levels of BCRL self-care adherence do not predict BCRL outcomes among breast cancer survivors with stable lymphedema who were followed for 12 mos.

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