Abstract: Objective: To explore the application of stepwise comprehensive rehabilitation program in the patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Methods: The quasi-experimental research method was adopted. A total of 33 patients with breast cancer-associated lymphoedema who were treated in the lymphedema nursing clinic of a tertiary grade A hospital in Zhejiang province from January 2022 to June 2022 were set as the control group, and routine nursing management mode was adopted. A total of 36 patients from July 2022 to December 2022 were set as the experimental group, and the stepwise comprehensive rehabilitation program was adopted on the basis of the control group. The bioelectrical impedance, grip strength, upper limb dysfunction, family intimacy, family adaptability and so on of the two groups were measured before and after intervention. Results: After intervention, the experimental group was superior to the control group in Body Mass Index control, moisture content of affected limb, bioelectrical impedance, grip strength, upper limb dysfunction, family intimacy, family adaptability and so on (P<0.05). Conclusion: The stepwise comprehensive rehabilitation program is effective in promoting the rehabilitation of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. It is of great significance in relieving the symptoms of upper limb lymphedema, improving the limb dysfunction of upper limb lymphedema and promoting family intimacy, so it is worth popularizing it in clinical nursing work.

Key words: breast cancer-related lymphedema; stepwise; complex decongestion therapy; people environment occupation; rehabilitation