Weight training is not harmful for women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a systematic review

Abstract

QUESTION: Is weight-training exercise intervention harmful to women with or at risk of breast cancer-related lymphoedema? DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised trials. PARTICIPANTS: Women with or at risk of breast cancer-related lymphoedema. INTERVENTION: Progressive weight-training exercise. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were severity (volume difference) and incidence of arm lymphoedema. Secondary outcomes included muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs, quality of life and body mass index. RESULTS: Eleven studies from eight trials involving 1091 women were included. Weight-training exercise of low to moderate intensity with relatively slow progression si..