Evaluation of Home Program and Telerehabilitation for the Treatment Process in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Marmara University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema; Telerehabilitation

Treatments: Other: Manuel Lymphatic Drainage(MLD), Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06065423

09.2021.131

Details and patient eligibility

About

During the Covid-19 pandemic, rehabilitation services for all patients were affected, and a term that was previously in use but gained popularity during the pandemic entered our vocabulary: 'Telerehabilitation'. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the treatment process and adherence of patients undergoing telerehabilitation.

Full description

Our study is a randomized single-blind prospective study. Patients aged 18 to 75 years with stage 1-2 lymphedema associated with breast cancer and upper extremity lymphedema, who had undergone breast surgery at least 3 months prior, were included in the study. Group 1: Patients were given a brochure explaining the massage and exercises they should perform. They were periodically contacted by a physiotherapist and clinician to remind them of their tasks. Group 2: Patients underwent telerehabilitation exercises and massages three times a week guided by a physiotherapist and clinician, and on the remaining days, they continued their self-administered tasks. Patients were evaluated three times: before treatment, at weeks 5 and 8 after treatment. During each visit, patients' inter-limb volume difference, Quick DASH and Life Impact Scale scores, pain, tension, stiffness, and heaviness sensations were assessed.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who had undergone breast surgery at least 3 months ago
• Had stage 1-2 lymphedema
• Had upper extremity lymphedema associated with breast cancer

Exclusion criteria

• Signs of infection such as lymphangitis, cellulitis, fungal infections
• Those with documented lymph node metastases
• Those with bilateral lymphedema
• Those with other diseases affecting upper extremity functions
• Those with a history of previous surgery related to the upper extremity

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Telerehabilitation Group

Experimental group

Description:

patients received exercises and massages through TR three times a week, conducted by a physiotherapist and a clinician. They were encouraged to perform their exercises and wear compression garments on the remaining days. Prior to the program, patients or their relatives received training from physiotherapists regarding exercises and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). Patients or their relatives were informed about the Zoom program and were instructed to acquire the application online. Two physiotherapists and groups of five patients each were organized based on rehabilitation days and hours, and access to the Zoom link was provided.

Treatment:

Other: Manuel Lymphatic Drainage(MLD), Exercises

Home- Exercise Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

patients were provided with a brochure explaining the massages and exercises they needed to perform. Additionally, they were contacted three times a week by a physiotherapist and a clinician to remind them of the treatments, assess the continuity and accuracy of the treatments, encourage them to perform the treatments correctly and consistently, and promote the wearing of compression garments.

Treatment:

Other: Manuel Lymphatic Drainage(MLD), Exercises