SCENAR Therapy for Lymphedema during the Treatment of Cancer

Kwon, Hyuk Min; Han, In Bo; Huh, Ryoong; Moon, Ji Young; Chung, Sang Sup

Original article

Journal of the Korean Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2007;3(2):131-133.
Published online September 30, 2007.

SCENAR Therapy for Lymphedema during the Treatment of Cancer

Hyuk Min Kwon, In Bo Han, Ryoong Huh, Ji Young Moon, Sang Sup Chung

Department of Neurosurgery, Bundang CHA Hospital, Pochon CHA Medical University, Seongnam, Korea

Abstract

Objective
Extremities swelling following cancer treatment is a frequent manifestation of lymphedema. We investigated the usefulness and effectiveness of SCENAR (Self-Controlled Energo Neuro Adaptive Regulator) therapy for lymphedema after radiation treatment.
Methods
Twenty eight women with extremities swelling secondary to lymphedema underwent SCENAR therapy. All the patients previously received radiation therapy due to breast cancer in 19 patients, cervical cancer in 6 patients, and ovarian cancer in 3 patients. The mean frequency of SCENAR therapy was 4 times a week and the mean treatment duration time per each treatment was 10 minutes. The mean follow up period was 7 months (range：3-18 months). The degree of swelling was assessed by the use of circumferential measurements. Therapeutic effects were also evaluated before treatment, at one month after the end of treatment using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results
The mean age was 53.7 years (range：37-65 years). The effect of SCENAR therapy was satisfactory (excellent or good) in 71.5% (n=20). The pain associated with lymphadema also improved in 75% of patients. There was no treatment related complications.
Conclusion
This study suggests that the SCENAR impulse helps fluid come out of the lymphatic system and SCENAR therapy would be useful method to deal with lymphedema.

Key Words: SCENAR therapy, Lymphedema.