<p>Background: This study compares Endermologie® — a new treatment for lymphoedema which involves mechanised massage — with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).</p>n<p>Methods: A single-blinded, randomised study compared the two techniques combined with compression bandaging to treat secondary arm lymphoedema post breast cancer treatment. The MLD group (<em>n</em>=20) and the Endermologie group (<em>n</em>=10) received treatment four times a week for four weeks. Measurements of arm and truncal fluid volumes, overall limb tissue volumes and subjective symptoms were taken at baseline, directly after the first treatment, at 24 hours, at the beginning and end of weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 and at the one-month follow up.</p>n<p>Results: Both groups had similar and significant reductions in whole arm volume, arm fluid and truncal fluid. There were also significant improvements in subjective heaviness, tightness, tissue hardness, limb size and range of movement at trial end compared with the baseline. Statistically significant softening occurred in the posterior thorax region. Both groups had a non-significant deterioration in all parameters at one-month follow-up, but none returned to baseline level.</p>n<p>Conclusions: MLD and Endermologie are both beneficial for secondary arm lymphoedema.</p>n<p>Declaration of interest: This trial was funded by LPG France and administered through Flinders Consulting Group. LPG had no influence except in the initial stages by advising on treatment protocols.</p>
