@inproceedings{737d219d5c154c6f85e9f1707e8f8c54,
title = "Low level laser therapy (photobiomodulation) for the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: An update",
abstract = "Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is prevalent among breast cancer survivors, and may be painful and disfiguring with associated psychological impact. Previous research shows increasing use of low level laser therapy (LLLT), now commonly referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for managing BCRL, in countries including the United States and Australia. However, conclusions were limited by the paucity, heterogeneity, and poor quality of previous studies. LLLT (PBM) has been barely used in clinical practice in New Zealand, and no clinical studies on LLLT (PBM) for BCRL have been conducted in this country. In order to promote this potentially useful treatment modality for BCRL patients, the Laser Lymphedema Trial Team at the University of Otago conducted a program to assess the effectiveness of LLLT (PBM) in management of BCRL. The program comprises three phases including a systematic review (completed), a feasibility study (completed), and a full-scale randomized controlled trial (proposed). This current paper provides an update on the program. Based upon the systematic review, LLLT (PBM) is considered a potentially effective treatment approach for women with BCRL; the review also indicated the need for further research including exploration of the relevance of dosage and other LLLT (PBM) parameters. The feasibility study demonstrated that it is feasible to conduct a fully powered RCT to definitively test the effectiveness of the additional use of LLLT (PBM) in the management of BCRL, and 114 participants will be needed at baseline in the main study. Currently, the full-scale RCT is under preparation.",
keywords = "Breast cancer related lymphedema, Feasibility study, Low level laser therapy, Parameters, Photobiomodulation, Randomized controlled trial, Systematic review",
author = "\{On Behalf of the Laser Lymphedema Trial Team\} and Baxter, \{G. David\} and Lizhou Liu and Cathy Chapple and Simone Petrich and Anders, \{Juanita J.\} and Steve Tumilty and Andrew Gray and Jane Rankin and Deb Handcock and Olivia Shirley and Lesley Inglis and Kate Jerram and Evelyn Tulloch and Marina Moss and Karen Taylor and Fay Devlin and Zoe Cook and Sarah Byrnes",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 SPIE.; 29th Laser Florence International Medical Congress: Advances in Laser Medicine ; Conference date: 09-11-2017 Through 11-11-2017",
year = "2018",
doi = "10.1117/12.2315544",
language = "English",
series = "Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE",
publisher = "SPIE",
editor = "Leonardo Longo",
booktitle = "Laser Florence 2017",
}