림프부종 진료에서 저출력 레이저 치료의 활용

윤진아¹^,^*

Using Low Level Laser Therapy in Lymphedema Practice

Jin A Yoon¹^,^*

¹부산대학교 의과대학 부산대학교병원 재활의학교실, 의생명융합연구원

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea

^*Address for correspondence: Jin A Yoon, MD, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, 179 Gudeok-Ro Seo-Gu, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-51-240-7480, Fax: +82-51-247-7485, E-mail: yjk5289@naver.com

ⓒ Copyright 2026 Korean Society of Lymphology and Lymphedema. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Received: Oct 07, 2024; Accepted: Oct 24, 2024

Published Online: Nov 09, 2024

Abatract

Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) therapy refers to a treatment that utilizes energy generated by the amplification of light through stimulated emission. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), involves the delivery of low-intensity, non-heat-generating energy to the affected area, inducing a biochemical change of the tissue. In 2023, LLLT was approved in South Korea as a safe and effective technology for patients with upper limb lymphedema following mastectomy. The therapy has been demonstrated to effectively reduce the circumference and volume of the affected area, alleviate pain, improve shoulder range of motion, grip strength, and enhance overall quality of life. Consequently, it can now be used as a new component in the treatment of upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms of LLLT used in lymphedema, along with its commonly applied clinical uses and outcomes.

Keywords: Lymphedema; Breast Cancer; Upper; Low Level Laser Therapy