Main findings

• The American Lymphedema Framework Project (AFLP) surveyed lymphoedema therapists in the US in 2009 to describe their preparation, patient population and care practices. In the autumn of 2018, the survey was expanded to trained therapists worldwide to describe and compare current and past therapist characteristics and practices.
• The current analysis includes over 950 completed surveys. Preliminary results showed: country: US (n=672/922 [73%]); Canada (n=92[10%]); United Kingdom (n=42[5%]); Australia (n=28[3%]); gender: identifying as female (n=633/676 [93%]); mean age: 47yrs (range 21–76); discipline: physical therapist [45%], occupational therapist [31%], massage therapist [24%]); mean practice years: 10.7yrs (range 0–41); and practice setting: hospital out-patient clinic (47%); private practice (38%); hospital in-patient (13%); home care/hospice (9%).
• Understanding the characteristics and practices of lymphoedema therapists and patients will help stakeholders meet under- and unmet needs of this population.
• The most commonly-reported treatments offered by responding lymphoedema therapists were the various elements of comprehensive decongestive therapy (CDT), consisting of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandaging and compression garments, exercise, movement, risk-reduction education, skincare and soft tissue mobilisation.
• Less than 15% of responding therapists reported offering single-phase pneumatic compression devices, aquatic treatment, low-level laser, vibrator treatment, compression bandage only, reflexology and other treatments. A majority (55%) of therapists offered seven or more treatment options.