Does Inclusion of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises in Complete Decongestive Therapy Provide Further Benefits in Patients With Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Izmir Bakircay University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Lymphedema of Upper Limb; Lymphedema, Breast Cancer

Treatments: Other: Upper extremity exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises; Other: Complete Decongestive Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05754346

bakircaymzeren07

Details and patient eligibility

About

Complete decongestive therapy is proven to be effective in reducing lymphedema related symptoms such as swelling and pain. Breathing exercises, on the other hand, may also help managing lymphedema symptoms. Deep breathing creates a pressure change in the abdomen, which creates a vacuum effect in the thoracic cavity and helps to empty the lymphatic vessels. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether addition of diaphragmatic breathing exercises to physical exercise component of complete decongestive therapy provides further benefits on lymphedema volume, pain and quality of life in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 25 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of arm lymphedema after being treated for unilateral breast cancer with axillary node dissection
• Completion of the treatments for the disease including chemotherapy and radiotherapy after breast surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Having recurrent cancer
• Having cognitive disability
• Having any concurrent diseases that may interfere with the measurement of lymphedema

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients in this group will receive "Complete Decongestive Therapy" for 6 weeks. 1 session each week will be supervised in a clinic. Rest of the sessions will be performed at home.

Treatment:

Other: Complete Decongestive Therapy

Study Group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients in this group will receive "Complete Decongestive Therapy" combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 6 weeks. 1 session each week will be supervised in a clinic. Rest of the sessions will be performed at home.

Treatment:

Other: Upper extremity exercises combined with diaphragmatic breathing exercises

Other: Complete Decongestive Therapy