https://doi.org/10.4081/vl.2026.15510
Clinical utility of Picture Your Plate™ as a nutrition screening tool in lymphedema practice: a cross-sectional survey of certified lymphedema therapists, an exploratory study
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Published: 26 May 2026
Lymphedema affects approximately 10 million Americans, with obesity identified as one of its strongest modifiable risk factors. Despite well-established links between dietary patterns, obesity, and lymphatic dysfunction, no standardized nutrition screening tool has been validated for use in lymphedema practice. This cross-sectional survey examined Certified Lymphedema Therapists’ (CLTs) perceptions of Picture Your Plate™ (PYP™) as a dietary screening instrument. Findings reveal a field-wide gap in the standardization of nutrition screening and support the need for validated referral protocols and dietary assessment education in lymphedema certification pathways. As these findings are based on clinician perceptions rather than clinical outcomes or real-world practice patterns, they should be interpreted as exploratory. The 12.4% response rate introduces the possibility of selection bias, as respondents may disproportionately represent clinicians with heightened interest in nutrition, which could limit the generalizability of these findings to the broader CLT population.
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CRediT authorship contribution
Tamala Marcin Primary
Natalia Zborovsky Secondary
Dawson Goodson Tertiary
Data Availability Statement
The research data summary is available in the attached submission.
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