Shoulder Rehabilitation Using a Mobile App Following Breast Reconstruction

NCT ID: NCT05388240

Last Updated: 2023-12-05

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

22 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-04-28

Study Completion Date

2023-09-13

Brief Summary

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Canadian women. Of the women who will have a mastectomy each year in Canada, one in five will elect to have breast reconstruction. However, the significant benefits for body-image, self-esteem, sexuality, and quality of life are tempered by post-treatment shoulder dysfunction for many. As a means to decrease shoulder morbidities in breast cancer survivors (BCS), this study will introduce a mobile application (app)-based shoulder rehabilitation program as an option to improve functional outcomes of the shoulder, for those who have had breast reconstruction.

Detailed Description

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The percentage of Canadian women surviving at least 5 years beyond initial diagnosis is currently approaching 90% and many of these women are choosing to have breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Potential sequelae from both mastectomy and all types of breast reconstruction surgeries can result in various functional limitations. The most common adverse effect from breast cancer surgery is shoulder morbidity, having both short and long-term consequences for survivors, and evidence suggests women who undergo breast reconstruction are at even higher risk of developing shoulder problems. Shoulder/arm pain, reductions in strength, and limitations in range of motion (ROM) are some of the common physical issues plaguing BCS, often for years after the initial treatment. Fibrosis of the direct area of the target tissue is a common finding post radiation therapy, specifically of the anterior chest/ pectoralis and axilla regions in BCS and most noticeable starting six months post-surgically.

The researchers' interest in the feasibility of a shoulder rehabilitation mobile app for post-surgical BCS is to improve access to rehabilitation (including education, exercises, and remote support with a physical therapist, PT) for these women, allowing for better functional outcomes which could translate into decreased reliance on medical care, improved quality of life (QoL), and ability to participate in life roles.

Conditions

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Shoulder Dysfunction Breast Reconstruction

Keywords

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Mobile App

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized control trial; pilot study
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Investigators

Study Groups

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Education Group

The Education Group will be provided with standard education by the physiotherapist at the hospital prior to surgery and will be advised to continue with their normal activities of daily living (ADL). They will have access to the "standard education and resources" tabs on the mobile app. Shoulder specific exercises tab on the app will be available to them upon their completion of the study (eight weeks post-intervention).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Education via a Mobile App

Intervention Type OTHER

This group will have access to "Education and Resources" tab that includes customary information given at a pre-op appointment plus some additional related education and resources.

Education plus Exercise Group

The Exercise plus Education Group will be provided with standard education by the physiotherapist at the hospital prior to surgery. Participants in this group will have access to the "education and resources" tabs on the app.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Education and Exercise via a Mobile App

Intervention Type OTHER

This group will have access to "Education and Resources" tab that includes customary information given at a pre-op appointment plus some additional related education and resources. The app will also be used to help guide participants through an eight-week shoulder exercise program, together with physical therapy remote support.

Interventions

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Education via a Mobile App

This group will have access to "Education and Resources" tab that includes customary information given at a pre-op appointment plus some additional related education and resources.

Intervention Type OTHER

Education and Exercise via a Mobile App

This group will have access to "Education and Resources" tab that includes customary information given at a pre-op appointment plus some additional related education and resources. The app will also be used to help guide participants through an eight-week shoulder exercise program, together with physical therapy remote support.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* minimum 18 years of age
* scheduled for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction (implant type only)
* 6 weeks or less from time of surgery
* must have mobile phone capable of app download
* need desk top or laptop computer for Zoom meetings
* medically stable
* able to be informed and consent in English

Exclusion Criteria

* ongoing or current health-related issues that would interfere with the ability to complete the program (i.e. metastatic cancer, severe cardiovascular disease)
* lack of access to a mobile phone and laptop or desk top computer for Zoom meetings
* inability to comprehend the English language
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Royal University Hospital Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Saskatchewan

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Soo Kim

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Soo Kim, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Saskatchewan

Locations

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University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

References

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Canadian Cancer Statistics 2019. Toronto, ON. (2019). Retrieved November 30, 2020 from http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer information/cancer 101/Canadian cancer statistics/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics 2019-EN.pdf?la=en.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Lang, A. (2020). Towards Improving Clinical Evaluation of the Shoulder: Defining Upper Limb Biomechanics of Breast Cancer Survivors During Functional Evaluation Tasks (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Saskatchewan.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

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Other Identifiers

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Bio2738

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id