Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Mar 15, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 17, 2025 - May 12, 2025
Date Accepted: Jun 27, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
At-Home Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) Monitoring of Adult Females at Risk of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Feasibility Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Breast cancer, a common occurrence in women is often associated with lymphedema. Patients undergoing surgery present a higher risk of suffering from this disease and often go untreated or are only referred to treatment or follow-up late. Depending on the stage of lymphedema, it may or may not be reversible. This fact emphasizes the importance of early detection.
Objective:
The main goal of the study was to assess the feasibility of monitoring cancer patients' fluids using a BIA home device and be able to detect relevant changes, which could agree with the increased risk of developing lymphedema. This remote monitoring by a clinician has not been possible before and a comparable bioelectrical water analyzer device has never been available to patients in the comfort of their homes.
Methods:
The study includes adult patients diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy and/or mastectomy, bilateral mastectomy, and/or reconstruction and were followed for 12 months. Clinic visits every 3 months with the standard of care treatment given by the clinician and daily fluid monitoring with a home-use bioelectrical impedance analyzer device were required for participation.
Results:
Preliminary results are presented for eight cases who did not develop lymphedema but showed that daily monitoring with the home device is possible and it aided in the detection of fluid changes due to interventions like radiation or chemotherapy, which typically subside after treatment, versus a permanent fluid increase indicating lymphedema. The daily monitoring empowered patients to take charge of their health, with more than half expressing a desire to continue using the home device beyond the end of the study. A trend of decreased weight and fluids both in the affected (surgical side) and the unaffected arm was observed for all participants.
Conclusions:
This case report highlights the necessity of everyday monitoring for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) patients, particularly for early detection and differentiation of symptoms, improved health, and ownership for cancer patients as well, which should benefit both patients and medical professionals. Clinical Trial: N/A
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