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Myofascial Massage for Pain and Immobility Following Breast Cancer Surgery

NCT04233385 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 132

Last updated 2025-06-08

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

About 25-50% of women who undergo breast cancer surgery develop persistent chest wall pain and shoulder mobility limitations following surgery. The pain and mobility limitations adversely affect quality of life, sleep, and body image. Unfortunately, current treatments for pain and mobility limitations have variable efficacy. Based on a review of relevant pre-, intra-, and post-operative factors, investigators reasoned that myofascial massage may address contributors to pain and mobility limitations following breast cancer surgery. Investigators propose a randomized controlled trial looking at myofascial massage compared to a light touch group to look at the effects on pain and immobility following breast cancer surgery.

Conditions

  • Breast Cancer
  • Mastectomy; Lymphedema
  • Pain, Shoulder
  • Mobility Limitation

Interventions

OTHER

Myofascial Massage

The myofascial protocol outlines techniques, areas of the body, as well as time to be spent for each technique for a total of 25 minutes. The remaining 5 minutes of the massage are for the massage therapist to tailor myofascial massage to the needs and circumstances of each participant. In order to provide some level of customization, the therapist will determine the impact of massage on the participant's pre-existing pain and/or mobility limitations. Second, the therapist will assess the soft tissues around the affected breast, chest, and shoulder to determine the locations of pain, tissue firmness, and restricted mobility. Third, the therapist will use effleurage and petrissage techniques to gently massage the identified locations to soften and release the tissues. Techniques used will include deep friction of muscles, sustained compression, and fascial stretch.

OTHER

Light Touch

Participants randomized to this group will receive 30 minutes of light touch to their affected breast, chest, and shoulder areas twice a week for 2 months. Therapists will follow a detailed light touch protocol for each of the 16 sessions. In addition, the therapist will inquire about the participant's response to the previous light touch treatment. Second, the therapist will assess the soft tissues around the affected breast, chest, and shoulder to determine the locations of pain, tissue firmness, and restricted mobility. Third, the therapist will place both hands on the participant for 3 minutes at each identified location. Pressure will be very light and consistent, with no side-to-side movement.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • MetroHealth Medical Center

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-02-04
Primary Completion
2025-04-30
Completion
2025-04-30

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04233385 on ClinicalTrials.gov