None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study looks at the role of exercise in managing lymphoedema status and associated symptoms in women with breast cancer related lymphoedema. Who is it for? You can join this study if you are a women who has a clinical diagnosis of lymphoedema secondary to breast cancer. Trial details: Participants will be divided into three groups. Two groups will take part in progressive supervised resistance exercises performed at relatively higher or lower intensities (i.e. upper and lower body resistance based exercise using weight machines and free weights) twice weekly (60 minute sessions) for 12 weeks. The third group will receive usual care for 12 weeks and then will take part in a 12 week exercise program. Lymphoedema status (i.e. the amount of swelling in the upper extremity) will be assessed using standard objective measures including bioimpedance spectroscopy, arm circumference measurements and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Lymphoedema associated symptoms will be assessed using a modification of the Brief Pain Inventory. Muscle strength and endurance, shoulder and elbow range of motion, functional ability and quality of life will also be assessed.
Interventions
Progressive supervised resistance exercises (e.g. upper and lower body resistance based exercises using weight machines and free weights) and aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, cycling, rowing etc.) twice weekly (60 minute sessions) for 12 weeks. These supervised sessions will be administered by an exercise physiologist and undertaken in small groups of participants (up to 8). Participants will continue their usual care for breast cancer and lymphoedema management for the duration of the interventi
Progressive supervised resistance exercises (e.g. upper and lower body resistance based exercises using weight machines and free weights) and aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, cycling, rowing etc.) twice weekly (60 minute sessions) for 12 weeks. These supervised sessions will be administered by an exercise physiologist and undertaken in small groups of participants (up to 8). Participants will continue their usual care for breast cancer and lymphoedema management for the duration of the intervention. Two experimental groups will undertake different types of exercise interventions: (1) high intensity resistance training (HIGH), and (2) low intensity resistance training (LOW). The only difference between these groups will be the intensity of the resistance exercises. For HIGH, the intensity will be manipulated from 6-10 repetition maximum (i.e. the maximal weight that can be lifted 6-10 times) using 1-3 sets per exercise. For LOW, intensity will be manipulated from 15-20 repetition maximum (i.e. the maximal weight that can be lifted 15-20 times) using 1-3 sets per exercise.
Sponsors
Edith Cowan University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Clinical diagnosis of breast cancer related lymphoedema defined as at least a 10% inter-limb discrepancy in volume or circumference at the point of greatest visible difference.
Exclusion criteria
Any musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular or neurological disorder that could place the participant at risk of injury or illness resulting from the exercise.
Outcome results
None listed