Sliding-cupping along meridian for lymphedema after breast cancer surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy difference between sliding-cupping along meridian combined with short-stretch elastic bandage wrapping and comprehensive detumescence therapy in treating lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Sixty patients with lymphedema after breast cancer surgery were randomly divided into the sliding-cupping group and the comprehensive detumescence therapy (CDT) group, with 30 cases in each one. The sliding-cupping group used the sliding-cupping along meridian therapy, and the sliding-cupping was applied along the three yin meridians and three yang meridians on the hand of the affected-side upper limbs, continuing for 25-30 min. After the sliding-cupping was finished, the affected limb was wrapped with the short-stretch elastic bandage. The CDT group was treated with comprehensive detumescence therapy (CDT). Both groups were treated once a day, with14 times as one course of treatment, and there was totally 1 course of treatment. The changes of circumferences before and after treatment of the affected limb were measured by a flexible ruler, and the efficacy was evaluated. The subcutaneous tissue thickness and the full skin layer thickness of the patients with moderate to severe edema in sliding-cupping group were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. Results: After treatment, the circumferences at the cubital crease, 5 cm above olecranon, and 10 cm above the olecranon of the affected limbs in the sliding-cupping group were (26.02 +/- 2.42) cm, (28.43 +/- 3.13) cm, and (30.05 +/- 2.80) cm respectively, which were all reduced compared with the pre-treatment circumference (27.95 +/- 3.00) cm, (30.80 +/- 3.38) cm, and (32.17 +/- 2.96cm). In the sliding-cupping group, the post-treatment subcutaneous tissue thicknesses at 5 cm above the olecranon, 10 cm above the olecranon and 5 cm below the olecranon, and full skin layer thickness at 10 cm below the olecranon of the 15 patients with moderate to severe edema were (8.71 +/- 2.83) cm, (8.53 +/- 2.4) cm, (6.46 +/- 1.38) cm, and (1.61 +/- 0.17) cm respectively, which were all reduced compared with pre-treatment (11.90 +/- 3.56) cm, (11.84 +/- 3.27) cm, (9.12 +/- 1.84) cm, and (1.87 +/- 0.23) cm, and the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate of the sliding-cupping group was 86.6%, and the total effective rate of the CDT group was 80%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with CDT, the sliding-cupping along meridian combined with short-stretch elastic bandage wrapping for the treatment of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery was more effective. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of World Journal of Acupuncture Moxibustion House.