Table 2 Characteristics for eight included clinical trials
Authors [Years] | Subjects (n) | Level of Evidence | Study Design and Blinding type | Inclusion Criteria | Interventions | Follow-up sessions | Evaluation Outcomes | Final Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mogahed et al. [2020] [39] | 30 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Single blinded, controlled trial | Stage 2 or 3 BCRL | 1: Active laser (n = 15) 2: Placebo laser (n = 15) 3: MLD 4: Shoulder ROM 5: Pneumatic compression | Pre-Tx-3 mn | 1: Arm volume 2: Shoulder pain | Laser group was found beneficial in reducing upper arm volume and decreasing shoulder pain as a post-mastectomy complication |
Kilmartin et al. [2019] [38] | 22 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Double-blinded Randomized, placebo-controlled trial | Age ≥ 21 yr, Stage 2 or 3 unilateral lymphedema | 1: Active laser + CDT (n = 11) 2: Placebo laser + CDT (n = 11) | Pre-Tx, 3,6,12 mn | 1: Arm volume 2: Shoulder mobility | Laser group remarably decreases post-mastectomy arm volume and improve symptoms compared to control placebo group |
Baxter et al. [2018] [37] | 16 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Double- blinded Randomized controlled trial | Age ≥ 18 yr, Diagnosis of BCRL | 1: Active laser (n = 8) 2: Placebo laser (n = 8) 3: Pressure garment 4: Massage therapy & Exe | Pre-Tx, 6,12 wk | 1: Arm circumference | Laser group seemed to have improve arm circumference, in general LLLT was considered to treat BCRL |
Storz et al. [2017] [36] | 40 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Double- blinded Randomized, Placebo-controlled trial |  ≥ 3 months hx of BCRL | 1: Active laser (n = 20) 2: Placebo laser (n = 20) 3: Daily limb exe 4: Skin care | Pre-Tx, 4,8,12 wk | 1: Arm volume 2: Shoulder pain | Laser therapy may be effective in reduction of arm volume, but no solid results were seen |
Bramlett et al. [2014] [35] | 14 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Double-blinded, Randomized placebo-controlled trial | Age ≥ 21 yr, unilateral BCRL | 1: Active laser (n = 7) 2: Placebo laser (n = 7) CDT | Pre-Tx 3,6,12,18 mn | 1: Arm circumference and volume | 18-months of period suggested a decreasing trend in active laser group; Long-term follow-up appears to show that LLLT is useful |
Ridner et al. [2013] [40] | 46 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Single blinded, Randomized controlled trial | Age ≥ 21 yr, Stage 1 or 2 lymphedema | 1: Active laser (n = 15) 2: MLD group (n = 16) 3: Laser + MLD (n = 15) 4: Compression Bandage | Pre-Tx, Daily and weekly, post Tx | 1: Arm circumference and volume | Active laser with bandaging was found to be effective, similarly laser with MLD also helped managed PML |
Lau and cheing [2010] [34] | 21 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Single-blinded, Randomized controlled trial | Age ≥ 18 yr, undergone radical mastectomy | 1: Active laser (n = 11) 2: Placebo laser (n = 10) 3:Lymphedema education | Pre-Tx,4wk post-Tx | 1: Arm volume | Active laser group showed notable decrease in arm volume at the 4wk follow-up |
Omar et al. [2011] [21] | 50 women, unilateral PML | Level 2 | Double-blinded, Randomized, Placebo-controlled trial | Stage 2 or 3 breast cancer | 1: Active laser (n = 25) 2: Placebo laser (n = 25) 3: Limb exe 4: Skin protection 5: Pressure garment | Pre-Tx 4, 8, 12, 16 wk | 1: Arm circumference 2: Shoulder mobility 3: Hand grip strength | Laser was found to be effective to manage arm volume, shoulder ROM and hand grip strength in women with PML |