Lymphedema, secondary to breast cancer (BCRL), is the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium caused by a malfunction of the lymphatic system. It causes
swelling, deficiencies in upper limb functions and structures, sensory pain and emotional alterations,
which have a chronic course and affect the upper limb’s functionality. This study aims to verify the
efficacy and efficiency in the upper limb´s functionality of a protocolized experimental approach
based on occupational therapy, TAPA (activity-oriented proprioceptive antiedema therapy), in the
rehabilitation of BCRL in stages I and II, comparing it with the conservative treatment considered
as the standard, complex decongestive therapy (CDT), through a multicenter randomized clinical
trial.
