Proper Dosing for Complete Decongestive Therapy in the Treatment of Lymphedema

As previously stated, Phase I of CDT is ideally performed daily five times a week, but not all patients can commit to their lymphedema treatment. A national survey reported in the International Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice (IJAHSP) found that the average number of patient visits per week was 3.71. This number is lower than the recommended frequency. Interestingly, this problem is not always caused by the patient’s circumstances. Some employers of certified lymphedema therapists are pressuring their therapists to limit treatments to two or three times per week.

All that said, you still need to remember the importance of optimal CDT dosage levels as a therapist. Treatment is most effective when conducted five times a week for at least two weeks in many patients. After that, you may reduce the frequency to three times a week until successful decongestion is achieved and the patient can wear a compression garment. In most cases, a sufficient reduction in lymphedema occurs within the first three days of the therapy.

Limiting treatment to just two or three times per week can cause difficulty in managing fluid buildup, leading to disappointment, less favorable outcomes, and extended treatment duration for both therapists and patients.