NCT06129344

Lymphatic Drainage Versus Ultrasound for Postpartum Breast Engorgement: A Pilot Study

Comparative Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Therapeutic Ultrasound on Breast Engorgement in Postpartum Women: A Feasibility Pilot Study

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 31 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 20 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In this article, women were randomly assigned to the manual lymphatic drainage group, therapeutic ultrasound group, and control group, and the breast pain, swelling hardness, and milk excretion before and after each treatment were measured.

Detailed description

Breast engorgement as the swelling and distention of breast, which is one of the most common problems of postpartum of 3-8 days. At the same time, the congested blood vessels and tissue fluid will enter the surrounding tissues, resulting in the retention of tissue fluid and blood, resulting in interstitial fluid. In cases such as interstitial edema, the flow of milk is restricted. There are many conservative treatments for relieving breast swelling. At present, there have been published studies on the application of ultrasound therapy and manual lymphatic drainage to breast problems during lactation. Previous studies have shown that manual lymphatic drainage and ultrasound therapy can significantly improve the pain, temperature, and firmness of breast engorgement. Manual lymphatic drainage and ultrasound therapy have been widely used in physical therapy, but there is little empirical evidence for manual lymphatic drainage on breast swelling. It is hoped that this empirical medical research method can be used to reduce the effect of breast pain caused by breast problems and improve breast milk. The purpose of this study was to examine whether manual lymphatic drainage and ultrasound therapy can improve breast pain, breast swelling, and increase the flow and volume of milk removed.

Conditions

• Breast Engorgement
• Lactation Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Manual Lymphatic Drainage Group	Manual Lymphatic Drainage Group:Performed by physiotherapists trained by Dr. Vodder School and licensed in Lymphatic Consolidation Detoxification Therapy (CDT). The patient's treatment posture is to lie down. First, start with the neck lymphatic drainage technique. After performing bilateral axillary lymph node activation and lymphatic valve contraction, the bilateral breast lymph fluid is drained to the bilateral lymph nodes. The time is about 20 minutes. Assist in removing milk from both breasts for 15 minutes each. Once a day for three consecutive days of treatment.
OTHER	Ultrasound therapy group	Ultrasound therapy group: performed by a physical therapist. This study uses an ultrasonic therapy device (model: UTO US-750 Therapeutic Ultrasound), frequency: 1MHz, intensity set to 1.0 Watt/cm2, pulsed mode, duty cycle 100%, treatment time 2 5 minutes on each side, and then assist in removing the breast milk from both breasts for 15 minutes on each side. Once a day for three consecutive days of treatment.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-07-01
• Primary completion: 2023-12-31
• Completion: 2024-07-31
• First posted: 2023-11-13
• Last updated: 2024-12-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan