Lymphedema, Secondary
Conditions
Brief summary
Participants with lymphedema secondary to cancer treatment will participate in a two week rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment and a two week programme focusing on physical exercise. The purpose is to assess the effect of the rehabilitation programmes on lymphedema and measures of physical performance.
Detailed description
Traditionally, physical therapy treatment, e.g. manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging is used for treatment of cancer treatment induced lymphedema. Alternatively, lifestyle interventions are used as treatment, with focus on physical exercise. However, the effects of such interventions are scarcely documented. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the effect of physical therapy treatment and physical exercise on lymphedema and measures of physical performance. The study will be performed in a randomized cross-over design, encompassing 26 participants with secondary lymphedema related to cancer treatment. Firstly, half of the participants in the intervention group will be randomized to a two week rehabilitation programme focusing on physical activity while the other half to a rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment, and the other way around three months later. In addition. there will be a control group with cancer related lymphedema not participating in any rehabilitation programme. Pre and post of each of the two week rehabilitation periods the following measurements will be performed: The magnitude of lymphedema by volume measurements of the limbs (by DXA); measurements of maximal strength, range of movement, flexibility, balance, physical functionality and questionnaires about perceived health and level of physical activity.
Interventions
Two weeks rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment, e.g. manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging
BEHAVIORALLifestyle treatment
Two weeks rehabilitation programme focusing on physical activity
Sponsors
Montebellosenteret, Mesnali, Norway
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
26 participants will be enrolled in the cross over design consisting of two different rehabilitation programme. In addition there will be a parallel control group with 10 participants not participating in any of the rehabilitation programmes.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Secondary lymphedema in arm or/and leg related to cancer
Exclusion criteria
\-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lymphedema | Change from before to the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Ratio of the volume of affected limb vs volume of nonaffected limb measured by DXA |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Balance | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | One leg balance test |
| Flexibility in hip and back | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Sit and reach test |
| Flexibility in shoulder | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Back scratch test |
| Test of physical functionality | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Stand up and walk test |
| Maximal strength | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | In handgrip and knee-extension |
| Range of joint movement in the elbow, degrees of movement measured with a protractor | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Range of joint movement in the elbow |
| Self perceived health | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Perceived health assessed by questionnaire |
| Level of physical activity | Questionnaire will be completed immediately before the rehabilitation programmes, assessing the level of physical activity the prior three months. | Level of physical activity assessed by questionnaire |
| Range of joint movement in the knee, degrees of movement measured with a protractor | Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes. | Range of joint movement in the knee |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed