Abstract: Objective To compare the accuracy of multi -frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and the MoistureMeterD Compact to detect tissue edema in secondary lymphedema of upper limb. Methods Eighteen patients with secondary lymphedema after radical mastectomy, treated by manual lymph drainage, were randomly selected in this study. The measurement of circumference of upper limb was determined as standard, which had an correlation analysis with multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and MoistureMeterD Compact ’s results on tissue edema change. Results Accoring to the circumference change and the measured results of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and the MoistureMeterD Compact, the degree of lymphedema was decreased after treatment. The multifrequency bioelectrical impedance’s test results had an relatively higher correlation (r=0.579, P<0.05) with the results of the standard, comparing to the results of the MoistureMeterD Compact (r=0.490, P<0.05). Conclusion Both multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and the MoistureMeterD Compact could be used for the measurement of lymphedema of upper limb, and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis have an higher accuracy in the measurement of tissue edema.

Key words: Secondary lymphedema, Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, MoistureMeterD Compact, Tissue edema, Circumference measurements