Hydrotherapy Against Menopausal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors

Prospective Randomized Feasibility Study on the Self Application of Hydrotherapy to Treat Menopausal Symptoms Caused by Breast Cancer Therapy

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00243607

Enrollment

Registered

2005-10-24

Start date

2006-05-31

Completion date

2008-10-31

Last updated

2017-05-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Amenorrhea, Hot Flashes

Keywords

climacteric symptoms, breast cancer, hydrotherapy

Brief summary

Breast cancer survivors often suffer from climacteric symptoms caused by treatment or diagnosis of their disease. Hormone replacement therapy is contraindicated and other pharmacological options may also include the risk of stimulating hormone receptors. Hydrotherapy following the guidelines of naturopathy by S. Kneipp is a non-pharmacological treatment option which may influence climacteric symptoms by affecting the regulation of body temperature. In this study, the regular self application of hydrotherapy after initial training by a professional will be evaluated for its efficacy, practicability, and compatibility.

Detailed description

Patients should use 2-5 different treatment options per day and fulfill a diary for symptoms and adherence to self-treatment for 12 weeks.

Interventions

OTHERhydrotherapy according to Kneipp rules

2-5 applications of hydrotherapy according to Kneipp rules (self application) per day

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Breast cancer diagnosis * Menopausal complaints score \> 14 (MRS II) * End of last chemotherapy or radiotherapy \> 2 months * Expected stable disease for the next 6 months

Exclusion criteria

* Regular intake of glucocorticoids * Regular practice of hydrotherapy before inclusion * Start or change of other treatments/changes of lifestyle in order to influence menopausal symptoms * Psychiatric disorders with possible influence on compliance and adherence to the protocol * Other severe or progressive diseases with influence on compliance and adherence to the protocol * Contraindications to hydrotherapy (severe heart failure, relevant dermatological diseases, Raynaud's Phenomenon \[M. Raynaud\], peripheral arterial occlusive disease Fontaine stage IIb \[VK IIb\] or more, acute thrombosis, or thrombophlebitis)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Menopausal complaints (MRS II)	12 and 24 weeks

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Cortisol profile (saliva)	12 and 24 weeks

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026