Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression therapy in the prevention and treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases for randomized controlled trials on Intermittent Pneumatic Compression therapy for the prevention and treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema from the time of database construction to June 2021. Two researchers conducted quality evaluation and data extraction. Meta-analysis was performed on studies that met the criteria. Results: A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis results showed that Intermittent Pneumatic Compression therapy had a significant effect on preventing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema, but there was no significant difference in the degree of lymphedema and improvement in joint mobility of the affected limbs between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression therapy can effectively prevent the occurrence of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema, but it has no obvious advantageous effect in treating lymphedema, improving the mobility of affected limbs and patients' subjective feelings.

Key words: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression; breast cancer; lymphedema; systematic review; Meta-analysis