Effectiveness of a Novel Low-level Laser Therapy Protocol in Managing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

NCT ID: NCT07072780

Last Updated: 2025-07-18

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

46 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-23

Study Completion Date

2024-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using two different wavelengths (904 nm and 650 nm) in patients with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 904 nm LLLT, 650 nm LLLT, or sham treatment. The primary objective is to assess changes in arm volume and secondary lymphedema-related outcomes following a structured intervention program.

Detailed Description

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This single-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will be conducted at a tertiary hospital. Eligible participants are women diagnosed with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Patients with primary lymphedema, history of upper limb trauma, bilateral arm infection, or metastasis will be excluded. Participants will be randomized into three groups: Group A (904 nm LLLT), Group B (650 nm LLLT), and a sham group.

Each participant will receive ten treatment sessions. Every session will consist of 60 minutes of conventional complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT), including manual lymphatic drainage, remedial exercises, and intermittent pneumatic compression, followed by 20 minutes of laser therapy. All participants will receive fluoroscopy-guided manual lymphatic drainage during each session.

The 904 nm wavelength laser (LTU-904, RianCorp) and the 650 nm laser (Salus Talent, Remed) will deliver the same energy dose (22.5 J/cm²) during treatment. The sham group will receive placebo treatment with no active laser emission. Laser therapy will be applied to the most fibrotic area of the affected upper limb in a circular area approximately 7 cm in diameter. The irradiation will be performed point-by-point with 1 cm intervals. Five-minute rest intervals will be given between treatments.

Randomization will be conducted using stratified block randomization (block size of 4), and allocation concealment will be ensured using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. Participants will be blinded to the wavelength used. Outcome assessors will also be blinded to group allocation.

The primary outcome is change in upper limb volume. Secondary outcomes include changes in extracellular fluid ratio, tissue dielectric constant, circumferential measurements. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be conducted.

Conditions

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Breast Cancer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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904nm LLLT (LTU-904)

Participants will receive low-level laser therapy using the LTU-904 device at a wavelength of 904 nm after complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT), which includes manual lymphatic drainage, remedial exercises, and intermittent pneumatic compression.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Low-Level Laser Therapy (650 nm)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-level laser therapy using the Salus Talent device (Remed, USA) at a wavelength of 650 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Sham Laser Therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Placebo laser therapy with no active laser emission, administered after CDPT.

650 nm LLLT (Salus Talent)

Participants will receive low-level laser therapy using the Salus Talent device at a wavelength of 650 nm after complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT), which includes manual lymphatic drainage, remedial exercises, and intermittent pneumatic compression.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Low-Level Laser Therapy (904 nm)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-level laser therapy using the LTU-904 device (RianCorp, Australia) at a wavelength of 904 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Sham Laser Therapy

Intervention Type DEVICE

Placebo laser therapy with no active laser emission, administered after CDPT.

Sham Laser Therapy

Participants will receive sham laser therapy with no active laser emission after complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT), which includes manual lymphatic drainage, remedial exercises, and intermittent pneumatic compression.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Low-Level Laser Therapy (904 nm)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-level laser therapy using the LTU-904 device (RianCorp, Australia) at a wavelength of 904 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (650 nm)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-level laser therapy using the Salus Talent device (Remed, USA) at a wavelength of 650 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Interventions

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Low-Level Laser Therapy (904 nm)

Low-level laser therapy using the LTU-904 device (RianCorp, Australia) at a wavelength of 904 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Low-Level Laser Therapy (650 nm)

Low-level laser therapy using the Salus Talent device (Remed, USA) at a wavelength of 650 nm, applied to the fibrotic area of the upper limb after CDPT.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham Laser Therapy

Placebo laser therapy with no active laser emission, administered after CDPT.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Secondary lymphedema following breast cancer surgery

Exclusion Criteria

* Primary lymphedema
* History of trauma, metastasis, or infection in both arms
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Pusan National University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Jin A Yoon, MD, Ph.D

Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Jin A Yoon, MD, Ph.D

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Pusan National University Hospital

Locations

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Pusan National University Hospital

Busan, Seo-Gu, South Korea

Site Status

Countries

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South Korea

References

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Other Identifiers

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D-2310-029-132

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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