Complete Decongestive Therapy Versus Non-pneumatic Compression Therapy in Post Mastectomy Lymphedema

NCT ID: NCT07217288

Last Updated: 2025-10-15

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

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

52 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-10-26

Study Completion Date

2027-04-30

Brief Summary

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The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of Complete Decongestive Therapy and Non-Pneumatic Compression Therapy, both combined with routine physical therapy, in reducing pain and edema volume, improving range of motion, respiratory function, inflammatory markers, and overall quality of life in patients with post-mastectomy lymphedema.

Detailed Description

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Post-mastectomy lymphedema (PML) is a chronic, progressive, and disabling complication affecting breast cancer survivors due to disruption of lymphatic drainage following surgery or radiotherapy. It leads to swelling, pain, restricted range of motion, recurrent infections, and reduced quality of life.

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) - a multimodal approach involving manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, skin care, and exercise - is currently the gold standard for lymphedema management. However, CDT is time-consuming, therapist-dependent, and often poorly tolerated or inaccessible for long-term self-management.

Non-Pneumatic Compression Therapy (NPCD) is a newer, portable, and wearable device that provides gradient sequential compression while allowing mobility and daily activity during treatment. It potentially improves adherence, comfort, and patient satisfaction.

Limited comparative research exists evaluating the relative effectiveness of CDT and NPCD in post-mastectomy lymphedema. This study aims to fill this gap and determine which approach produces superior clinical and functional outcomes.

Conditions

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Lymphedema, Breast Cancer Mastectomy Related Lymphedema Post Mastectomy Lymphedema

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and Routine Physical Therapy

Group A: Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) and Routine Physical Therapy:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

* Duration: 30 minutes/session
* Frequency: 5 days/week
* Technique: Performed by a certified lymphedema therapist
* Areas: Neck, axilla, trunk, and affected limb
* Total treatment time: 8 weeks 2. Compression Bandaging
* Type: Multi-layer short-stretch bandaging
* Application: After MLD in each session
* Worn Duration: 22-23 hours/day
* Reapplied Daily: Yes 3. Skin Care
* Duration: 10 minutes/session
* Components:

* Inspection of skin
* Use of pH-neutral moisturizers
* Infection prevention education 4. Exercise Therapy (Routine Physiotherapy)
* Type: Gentle, active ROM and resistance exercises (e.g., shoulder mobility, grip strengthening)
* Duration: 20 minutes/session
* Progression: Gradually increase intensity over 8 weeks

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Complete Decongestive therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), is the gold-standard, non-invasive treatment for lymphedema. It combines manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, exercise therapy, and skin care to reduce limb swelling and improve lymphatic flow.

Frequency: 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Intensity: Gentle manual drainage with multilayer compression Time: 60 minutes per session. Type: Therapist-guided manual and compression therapy followed by self-management.

CDT aims to decongest the limb, prevent fibrosis and infection, and enhance mobility and quality of life in post-mastectomy lymphedema patients.

Group B: Non-pneumatic compression device (NPCD) and Routine Physiotherapy (RPT)

Subjects will be taught how to apply the device themselves, including placement, duration of use, and turning it on/off. All subjects will be instructed to wear the device for up to 40 minutes per day and to continue their usual activity during use. Routine Physical Therapy:

* Type: Gentle, active ROM and resistance exercises (e.g., shoulder mobility, grip strengthening)
* Duration: 20 minutes/session
* Progression: Gradually increase intensity over 8 weeks

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Non Pneumatic compression device

Intervention Type DEVICE

Non-Pneumatic Compression Device (NPCD) is a wearable, portable system providing gradient sequential compression through shape-memory alloy actuators instead of air pressure. Frequency: 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Intensity: Moderate, rhythmic static and dynamic compression applied distally to proximally, allowing safe lymphatic drainage.

Time: 40 minutes per session, once daily.

Interventions

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Non Pneumatic compression device

Non-Pneumatic Compression Device (NPCD) is a wearable, portable system providing gradient sequential compression through shape-memory alloy actuators instead of air pressure. Frequency: 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks.

Intensity: Moderate, rhythmic static and dynamic compression applied distally to proximally, allowing safe lymphatic drainage.

Time: 40 minutes per session, once daily.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Complete Decongestive therapy

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), is the gold-standard, non-invasive treatment for lymphedema. It combines manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, exercise therapy, and skin care to reduce limb swelling and improve lymphatic flow.

Frequency: 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Intensity: Gentle manual drainage with multilayer compression Time: 60 minutes per session. Type: Therapist-guided manual and compression therapy followed by self-management.

CDT aims to decongest the limb, prevent fibrosis and infection, and enhance mobility and quality of life in post-mastectomy lymphedema patients.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Females with age between 30 to 60 years. (Monticciolo et al., 2021)
* Females with unilateral mastectomy post three months of surgery. (Shen et al., 2023) 21
* A volume difference to the circumferential measurements between the affected and unaffected upper extremities of more volume difference\>10%.
* Completed chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. (Borman, Yaman, Yasrebi, İnanlı, \& Dönmez, 2022)

Exclusion Criteria

* Systemic disorders that might contraindicate the use of sequential compression therapy i.e. chronic kidney disease with renal failure, Congestive heart failure, neurological disorders, respiratory disorders.
* Presence of active cellulitis, open and partially healed wounds.
* Patients with lipedema
* Active or recurrent cancer (defined as \< 3 months since completion of cancer therapy)
* An acute infection within the previous 4 weeks
* Active venous thromboembolic edema
* Pregnant women and women who are planning or nursing at study entry.
* Patients who had participated in any clinical trial of an investigational substance or device during the previous 30 days
* Potential patients with a cognitive or physical impairment that would interfere with appropriate use of the device. (Rockson, Whitworth, et al., 2022)
Minimum Eligible Age

30 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Lahore

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Sahar Fatima

Sahar Fatima

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Cancer Care Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status

Countries

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Pakistan

Central Contacts

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Sahar Fatima, Ph.D

Role: CONTACT

+923371683000

Facility Contacts

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sahar fatima

Role: primary

03371683000

Other Identifiers

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U1111-1329-7030

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

UOL/IREB/25/12/0042

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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