Prehabilitation of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

NCT ID: NCT07301580

Last Updated: 2025-12-24

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

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-01

Study Completion Date

2025-10-05

Brief Summary

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This prospective prehabilitation study aims to evaluate the effects of an individualized exercise program initiated before breast cancer surgery and continued for 12 months postoperatively. The intervention focuses on incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema, improving functional outcomes, range of motion, pain, and patient-reported measures throughout the surgical and recovery phases. Participants receive structured, personalized exercise instructions and are monitored regularly during follow-up.

The study assesses the trajectory of extremity volume difference, early postoperative pain, the recovery pattern of shoulder range of motion and changes in functional status across the first postoperative year. Additionally, it examines the incidence of lymphedema and explores demographic and clinical determinants affecting patient outcomes. The findings are expected to provide evidence for the integration of prehabilitation into standard breast cancer care pathways.

Detailed Description

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This prospective prehabilitation study investigates the effectiveness of an individualized exercise program initiated before breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy maintained for 12 months postoperatively. The intervention was designed to optimize physical readiness for surgery, support early postoperative recovery, and promote long-term functional improvement. Participants received structured exercise instructions delivered through visual and written materials, and adherence was reinforced through regular follow-up contacts.

The primary focus of the study is to characterize postoperative functional trajectories, including pain intensity, shoulder range of motion (ROM), upper-extremity function, and patient-reported outcomes. Particular emphasis is placed on the early postoperative period, during which pain typically increases and functional limitations become more pronounced. Longitudinal assessments allow observation of recovery patterns across all ROM planes, with anticipated improvements in flexion and abduction by the third postoperative month and further recovery in internal and external rotation by the sixth month.

A secondary objective is to monitor the development of lymphedema, defined by limb volume differences and physical signs of edema. The study also explores demographic and clinical determinants that may influence treatment outcomes, aiming to identify subgroups that benefit most from prehabilitation. By evaluating functional, symptomatic, and quality-of-life outcomes across a 12-month period, this study provides evidence to support the incorporation of preoperative exercise interventions into standard breast cancer care pathways.

Conditions

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Breast Cancer-Related Arm Lymphedema Quality of Life Impairment Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Prehabilitation

Keywords

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Breast cancer-related lymphedema prehabilitation pre-irradiation pre-surgery

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Prehabilitation Exercise Group

Behavioral Intervention

Group Type OTHER

Prehabilitation Exercise Group

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A personalized upper-extremity exercise program initiated before surgery and continued for 12 months postoperatively. The program includes mobility, stretching, strengthening, and functional exercises tailored to individual needs. Instruction is provided through written and visual materials, with follow-up contacts to reinforce adherence.

Interventions

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Prehabilitation Exercise Group

A personalized upper-extremity exercise program initiated before surgery and continued for 12 months postoperatively. The program includes mobility, stretching, strengthening, and functional exercises tailored to individual needs. Instruction is provided through written and visual materials, with follow-up contacts to reinforce adherence.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Women aged 18 years or older
* Diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled for surgical treatment
* Able to perform prescribed upper-extremity exercises
* Able to provide informed consent and complete follow-up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria

* Presence of metastatic disease at baseline
* Neurological, orthopedic, or systemic conditions limiting upper-extremity mobility
* Prior breast or axillary surgery on the same side
* Planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy that would delay the initiation of the exercise program
* Inability to comply with the exercise instruction or follow-up schedule
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Health Sciences Balikesir Hospital Eduation and Research

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Mustafa Akin

Associated Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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UHS Balikesir Ataturk Health and Application Center

Balıkesir, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Toohey K, Hunter M, McKinnon K, Casey T, Turner M, Taylor S, Paterson C. A systematic review of multimodal prehabilitation in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2023 Jan;197(1):1-37. doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06759-1. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 36269525 (View on PubMed)

Del Bianco N, Borsati A, Toniolo L, Ciurnielli C, Belluomini L, Insolda J, Sposito M, Milella M, Schena F, Pilotto S, Avancini A. What is the role of physical exercise in the era of cancer prehabilitation? A systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2024 Jun;198:104350. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104350. Epub 2024 Apr 18.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38642726 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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UHSBalikesirRadiationOnc

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id