Short-Term Outcomes of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Versus Usual Care Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial

Barbara A Murphy; Derek K Smith; Cristina M Kline-Quiroz; Katrina M Jensen; Ammar W Sukari; Mihir K Bhayani; Vikas Mehta; Harry Quon; Jennifer L Shah; Christopher D Willey; Neal E Dunlap; Hoon K Lee; Joseph M Aulino; Sheila H Ridner

doi:10.1002/hed.70155

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Short-Term Outcomes of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Versus Usual Care Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial

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Short-Term Outcomes of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Versus Usual Care Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial

Barbara A Murphy, Derek K Smith, Cristina M Kline-Quiroz, Katrina M Jensen, Ammar W Sukari, Mihir K Bhayani, Vikas Mehta, Harry Quon, Jennifer L Shah, Christopher D Willey, …

Head & neck, PMID 8902541

01/23/2026

DOI: 10.1002/hed.70155

PMID: 41574713

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Abstract

Two-month outcomes of advanced pneumatic compression device (APCD) and usual care (UC) in Head and Neck Cancer survivors with previously untreated lymphedema were compared. Participants in this multisite, randomized clinical trial were randomized to APCD or UC. The primary endpoint was severity of lymphedema symptoms. Secondary endpoints were anatomical lymphedema changes, biopsychosocial outcomes, and barriers to care. Two hundred thirty-six participants were enrolled (119 APCD, 117 UC). Analysis was intention-to-treat. Lymphedema-associated symptom burden measured using the VHNSS and LSIDS was improved to a similar degree in both groups. APCD demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in external soft tissue swelling assessed by digital photography. No difference in CT imaging measures of lymphedema was noted. UC participants experienced barriers to care. APCD is an effective treatment for lymphedema in HNCS. The APCD addresses clinically significant barriers to therapist guided treatment. A hybrid approach may be complementary and optimize patient outcomes. NCT04797390.

head and neck

short‐term outcomes

usual care lymphedema therapy

lymphedema

advanced pneumatic compression device

Details

Title: Subtitle: Short-Term Outcomes of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Device Versus Usual Care Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial
Creators: Barbara A Murphy - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Derek K Smith - University of Iowa
Cristina M Kline-Quiroz - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Katrina M Jensen - Advanced Head & Neck Rehabilitation Center of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Ammar W Sukari - The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Mihir K Bhayani - Rush University Medical Center
Vikas Mehta - Montefiore Medical Center
Harry Quon - Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Jennifer L Shah - University of Michigan
Christopher D Willey - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Neal E Dunlap - University of Louisville
Hoon K Lee - Richmond University Medical Center
Joseph M Aulino - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Sheila H Ridner - Vanderbilt University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Head & neck, PMID 8902541
DOI: 10.1002/hed.70155
PMID: 41574713
ISSN: 1097-0347
eISSN: 1097-0347
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: Tactile Medical
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 01/23/2026
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Dental Research
Record Identifier: 9985130539002771

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