Two Different Physiotherapy Programs in Lymphedema Following Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

NCT ID: NCT04286698

Last Updated: 2020-02-27

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

21 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-03-05

Study Completion Date

2019-03-15

Brief Summary

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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) and home programs on internal/external lymphedema, staging, fibrosis, and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning and volume evaluation in head and neck lymphedema. Twenty-one patients were randomly divided into three groups: CDP; home program including self manual lymph drainage (MLD) and exercises; and control. CDP included MLD drainage, compression, exercise, and skin care. Self-MLD and exercises were performed by home program group patients. Assessment methods were applied at baseline and 4 weeks later for all groups. MD. Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema Protocol was implemented to evaluate head and neck external lymphedema, staging, and fibrosis. An Artec Eva 3D scanner and the Autodesk ReCap Photo Studio software were used to determine and calculate the volume of the head and neck region via 3D surface scanning. Head and neck external lymphedema and fibrosis assessment criteria were performed to evaluate visible soft tissue edema and the degree of stiffness. To assess internal lymphedema, Patterson's scale was applied using fiber-optic endoscopic imaging.

Detailed Description

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Head and neck cancer (HNC) have been seen in 13.3/100,000 males and 2.8/100,000 in females in Turkey. HNC related treatments such as lymph node dissection, tumor excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and cancer itself can cause head and neck lymphedema (HNL). The incidence of HNL due to HNC treatments (surgery, chemotherapy and chemoradiation) has been reported to be between 48% and 90%.

A recognition of HNL has been growing in recent years, but HNL is still much less recognized than upper and lower limb lymphedema and is easily ignored by both patients and health care providers. Therefore, in many cases, the diagnosis and treatment of HNL may be delayed, or patients cannot access treatment. In routine practice, after HNC, the self-absorption of HNL is generally expected. Clinical experiences have confirmed that HNL develops 2-6 months after cancer treatment and regresses in some patients over time.

A variety of physiotherapy approaches have been shown to prevent and minimize physical, functional, emotional, and social disorders resulting from HNL. However, complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) is considered a gold standard treatment method for lymphedema. This method consists of manual lymph drainage (MLD), skin care, compression therapy, and therapeutic exercises. Although there are many studies about the effects of CDP on upper and lower limbs, there is only a limited number of studies about HNL and CDP in the literature.

Conditions

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Head and Neck Cancer Lymphedema of Face Fibrosis; Skin

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Complex decongestive physiotherapy program group

Manuel lymph drainage, compression mask, exercises and skin care

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Complex decongestive physiotherapy

Intervention Type OTHER

MLD was administered 5 days a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes \[25\]. Compression therapy was applied to the patients by wearing a compression mask (FM Velcro Fastener, LIPOELASTIC), made of polyamide, cotton, viscose, and elastane, that covered the submandibular region, the masseter region, and the neck. The compression mask is specifically designed for the healing and recovery of tissues after plastic and aesthetic surgeries. The patients were advised to wear the compression masks for at least 4-6 hours per day for 4 weeks and gradually increase wearing time according to their tolerance. The patients were asked to perform skin care by themselves. Skin care was applied using a low pH skin lotion to moisturize the skin. Neck, face/mimic, tongue, and posture exercises were performed by patients while the compression mask was worn and under the supervision of a physiotherapist, with 10 repetitions 5 times a week for 4 weeks.

Home program group

Self-manuel lymph drainage and home exercises

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Home program

Intervention Type OTHER

Self-MLD and exercises (neck, face/mimic, tongue, and posture exercises) were shown to the patients in this group. Self-MLD included self-administered lymph drainage of the axillary, posterior, lateral, and anterior neck areas; the pre- and retro-auricular regions; the lateral and anterior regions of the face; and the lower jaw region. Then the order is reversed back to the starting point \[3\]. A video of self-MLD and a text including exercise descriptions were shared with patients and their relatives to ensure that the self-MLD and exercises were performed accurately and regularly at home. Self-MLD was recommended to be applied once a day, and the exercises were advised to be performed for 10 repetitions each, 10 times a day for 4 weeks. The patients were called by phone during the second week after their first evaluation as a control and to motivate the patient for performing self-MLD and home exercises properly.

Control group

No intervention

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Complex decongestive physiotherapy

MLD was administered 5 days a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes \[25\]. Compression therapy was applied to the patients by wearing a compression mask (FM Velcro Fastener, LIPOELASTIC), made of polyamide, cotton, viscose, and elastane, that covered the submandibular region, the masseter region, and the neck. The compression mask is specifically designed for the healing and recovery of tissues after plastic and aesthetic surgeries. The patients were advised to wear the compression masks for at least 4-6 hours per day for 4 weeks and gradually increase wearing time according to their tolerance. The patients were asked to perform skin care by themselves. Skin care was applied using a low pH skin lotion to moisturize the skin. Neck, face/mimic, tongue, and posture exercises were performed by patients while the compression mask was worn and under the supervision of a physiotherapist, with 10 repetitions 5 times a week for 4 weeks.

Intervention Type OTHER

Home program

Self-MLD and exercises (neck, face/mimic, tongue, and posture exercises) were shown to the patients in this group. Self-MLD included self-administered lymph drainage of the axillary, posterior, lateral, and anterior neck areas; the pre- and retro-auricular regions; the lateral and anterior regions of the face; and the lower jaw region. Then the order is reversed back to the starting point \[3\]. A video of self-MLD and a text including exercise descriptions were shared with patients and their relatives to ensure that the self-MLD and exercises were performed accurately and regularly at home. Self-MLD was recommended to be applied once a day, and the exercises were advised to be performed for 10 repetitions each, 10 times a day for 4 weeks. The patients were called by phone during the second week after their first evaluation as a control and to motivate the patient for performing self-MLD and home exercises properly.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* \>18 years old
* had unilateral/bilateral neck dissection
* had received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
* elapsed time of 3 or more months since cancer treatments
* had secondary HNL

Exclusion Criteria

* having metastases due to HNC or other primary cancers
* receiving/having received treatment to regulate the lymph flow
* having the diagnosis of neurological, orthopedic, or rheumatologic diseases that may cause circulation and movement in the head and neck region.
Minimum Eligible Age

22 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

73 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Gazi University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Izmir Bakircay University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Kadirhan Ozdemir, PT, PhD.

Head of Geriatric Rehabilitation Department

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Kadirhan Ozdemir

Ankara, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Smith BG, Hutcheson KA, Little LG, Skoracki RJ, Rosenthal DI, Lai SY, Lewin JS. Lymphedema outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Feb;152(2):284-291. doi: 10.1177/0194599814558402. Epub 2014 Nov 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25389318 (View on PubMed)

Deng J, Ridner SH, Dietrich MS, Wells N, Wallston KA, Sinard RJ, Cmelak AJ, Murphy BA. Prevalence of secondary lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012 Feb;43(2):244-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.03.019. Epub 2011 Jul 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21802897 (View on PubMed)

Ridner SH. Pathophysiology of lymphedema. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2013 Feb;29(1):4-11. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2012.11.002.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23375061 (View on PubMed)

Deng J, Ridner SH, Murphy BA. Lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2011 Jan;38(1):E1-E10. doi: 10.1188/11.ONF.E1-E10.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21186146 (View on PubMed)

Della Justina, L.B. and M. Dias, Head and neck lymphedema: what is the physical therapy approach? A literature review. Fisioterapia em Movimento, 2016. 29(2): p. 411-419.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Smile TD, Tendulkar R, Schwarz G, Arthur D, Grobmyer S, Valente S, Vicini F, Shah C. A Review of Treatment for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Paradigms for Clinical Practice. Am J Clin Oncol. 2018 Feb;41(2):178-190. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000355.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28009597 (View on PubMed)

Watanabe Y, Koshiyama M, Seki K, Nakagawa M, Ikuta E, Oowaki M, Sakamoto SI. Development and Themes of Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures for Secondary Leg Lymphedema in Patients with Gynecologic Cancers. Healthcare (Basel). 2019 Aug 27;7(3):101. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7030101.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31461980 (View on PubMed)

Crane P, Feinberg L, Morris J. A multimodal physical therapy approach to the management of a patient with temporomandibular dysfunction and head and neck lymphedema: a case report. J Man Manip Ther. 2015 Feb;23(1):37-42. doi: 10.1179/2042618612Y.0000000021.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26309380 (View on PubMed)

Piso DU, Eckardt A, Liebermann A, Gutenbrunner C, Schafer P, Gehrke A. Early rehabilitation of head-neck edema after curative surgery for orofacial tumors. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Apr;80(4):261-9. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200104000-00006.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11277132 (View on PubMed)

Doke KN, Bowman L, Shnayder Y, Shen X, TenNapel M, Thomas SM, Neupane P, Yeh HW, Lominska CE. Quantitative clinical outcomes of therapy for head and neck lymphedema. Adv Radiat Oncol. 2018 Apr 27;3(3):366-371. doi: 10.1016/j.adro.2018.04.007. eCollection 2018 Jul-Sep.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30202804 (View on PubMed)

Ozdemir K, Keser I, Duzlu M, Erpolat OP, Saranli U, Tutar H. The Effects of Clinical and Home-based Physiotherapy Programs in Secondary Head and Neck Lymphedema. Laryngoscope. 2021 May;131(5):E1550-E1557. doi: 10.1002/lary.29205. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33111977 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2018-112

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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