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Effects of Combined Upper Extremity Exercise and Pneumatic Compression Therapy on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

NCT07459881 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2026-03-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. With advances in treatment, survival rates have steadily increased; however, postoperative complications continue to affect patients' quality of life, with upper extremity lymphedema being among the most prevalent. Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) can result in arm swelling, pain, restricted mobility, and psychological distress, all of which negatively impact daily functioning and social partici pation .

Previous studies have demonstrated that regular and moderate upper extremity exercise does not exacerbate lymphedema; instead, it may improve shoulder mobility, muscular strength, and contribute to edema control. In addition, therapeutic modalities such as pneumatic compression pumps and manual lymphatic drainage have been proven effective in reducing swelling and enhancing patient comfort . Recent systema tic reviews further support the beneficial effects of exercise interventions on upper limb function and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Therefore, combining upper extremity exercise with pneumatic compression therapy may re present a promising integrative intervention to improve lymphedema and related functional limitations. This study aims to investigate the effects of such a combined approach on breast cancer patients with lymphedema by comparing outcomes across multiple ti me points, including arm circumference measurements, shoulder range of motion, upper extremity function (DASH), and quality of life (FACT B), with the goal of establishing a more comprehensive rehabilitation model.

Conditions

  • Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Interventions

OTHER

Combined Upper Extremity Exercise

Warm-up (5 min): shoulder flexion, abduction, circular motion Active and resistance training (20 min): using elastic bands or 0.5 kg weights： Seated rowing/Chest press/Lat pulldown/Single-arm row/Biceps curl/Triceps extension Two sets of 10 repetitions (or up to 3 sets depending on tolerance) Stretching (5 min): overhead stretch, lateral flexion, biceps/triceps stretch

OTHER

Pneumatic Compression Therapy

duration:20 minutes Multi-chamber upper limb sleeve Sequential distal-to-proximal inflation Pressure range: 20-40 mmHg (adjusted according to tolerance and safety limits) Monitoring for pain, numbness, pallor, or circulatory compromise

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
70 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-03-31
Primary Completion
2027-03-31
Completion
2027-12-31

Countries

  • Taiwan

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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 NCT07459881 on ClinicalTrials.gov