Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, Telerehabilitation
Conditions
Brief summary
During the Covid-19 pandemic, rehabilitation services for all patients were affected, and a term that was previously in use but gained popularity during the pandemic entered our vocabulary: 'Telerehabilitation'. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the treatment process and adherence of patients undergoing telerehabilitation.
Detailed description
Our study is a randomized single-blind prospective study. Patients aged 18 to 75 years with stage 1-2 lymphedema associated with breast cancer and upper extremity lymphedema, who had undergone breast surgery at least 3 months prior, were included in the study. Group 1: Patients were given a brochure explaining the massage and exercises they should perform. They were periodically contacted by a physiotherapist and clinician to remind them of their tasks. Group 2: Patients underwent telerehabilitation exercises and massages three times a week guided by a physiotherapist and clinician, and on the remaining days, they continued their self-administered tasks. Patients were evaluated three times: before treatment, at weeks 5 and 8 after treatment. During each visit, patients' inter-limb volume difference, Quick DASH and Life Impact Scale scores, pain, tension, stiffness, and heaviness sensations were assessed.
Interventions
OTHERManuel Lymphatic Drainage(MLD), Exercises
MLD:It is a unique massage technique that uses specific hand movements to provide a gentle pumping effect on the skin. Massage movements follow the direction of lymph flow and produce rapid results. The aim of this method is to achieve maximum skin tightening effect with minimum pressure. Exercise, on the other hand, increases physical performance, improves body composition, and provides an increase in quality of life by providing acute and chronic reductions in fatigue. Both aerobic exercises and strengthening exercises have been found effective on physical performance. It shows that a mixed program consisting of components such as aerobics, strengthening, coordination and stretching can positively affect flexibility, pain and energy expenditure in breast cancer patients.
Sponsors
Marmara University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Patients who had undergone breast surgery at least 3 months ago * Had stage 1-2 lymphedema * Had upper extremity lymphedema associated with breast cancer
Exclusion criteria
* Signs of infection such as lymphangitis, cellulitis, fungal infections * Those with documented lymph node metastases * Those with bilateral lymphedema * Those with other diseases affecting upper extremity functions * Those with a history of previous surgery related to the upper extremity
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Measurements | Time Frame: Day 0 | Arm measurement was measured with a tape measure at 4 cm intervals and calculated using the cone method in cm3 |
| Symptom Severity | Time Frame: Day 0 | Shoulder pain, tightness, sensation of heaviness, and stiffness were evaluated using a numerical scale (1 to 10 points) |
| Functionality | Time Frame: Day 0 | Ouick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire |
| Efficacity | Time Frame: Day 0 | Lymphedema Quality of Life Impact Scale |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient satisfaction with the treatment | Time Frame: 5 weeks | Responses were gathered on a scale of very satisfied - satisfied - somewhat satisfied - unsatisfied |
| patients were asked to compare their hand functionality to before the injury | Time Frame: 5 weeks | Responses were gathered on a scale of 'much better - somewhat better - same - somewhat worse - much worse |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed