Impact of Physical Exercise on Lymphedema Related to Breast Cancer: Assessment Using Thermography (NCT06905639) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Impact of Physical Exercise on Lymphedema Related to Breast Cancer: Assessment Using Thermography
Spain9 participantsStarted 2025-04-01
Plain-language summary
Study Type: Clinical Trial
Primary Purpose: To determine whether physical exercise improves or prevents lymphedema in breast cancer patients.
Description of the Participant Population/Main Condition: The study is aimed at women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have experienced post-treatment lymphedema or are at risk of developing it. The target population includes adults aged 18 to 70 who have been diagnosed with this condition following their breast cancer treatment.
Main Research Questions:
Does physical exercise improve or prevent lymphedema in women with breast cancer? What are the effects of physical exercise on the reduction of arm volume affected by lymphedema? What are the effects of physical exercise on the reduction of perceived disability in the arm affected by lymphedema?
Hypothesis:
Physical exercise intervention significantly reduces lymphedema symptoms, such as arm volume. Physical exercise prevents the progression of lymphedema in women with breast cancer.
Comparison Group: Researchers will compare results between the experimental group (which will undergo physical exercise) and the control group (which will receive no intervention) to determine if physical exercise has a significant impact on the improvement or prevention of lymphedema.
Participant Tasks:
The experimental group will follow a supervised physical exercise program for a specific period. The control group will receive no intervention and will be monitored with standard follow-up care without exercise. Participants will be evaluated before and after the study period to measure the progression of lymphedema, including arm volume measurement and surface skin temperature using thermography.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Women over 18 years old diagnosed with breast cancer.
* Residing in the province of León.
* Not currently undergoing any physical exercise intervention at the time of the study.
* Not participating in lifestyle modification programs at the time of the study.
* Not presenting any relative or absolute sequelae from chemotherapy treatment that would pose a relative or absolute contraindication to their participation in this intervention (e.g., cardiological sequelae).
* Having signed the informed consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presenting physical and/or psychological limitations that would hinder understanding or the ability to carry out the established intervention program.
* Presenting an infection in the upper limbs or lymphangitis.
* Fluid accumulation in the breast area requiring drainage at the time of the intervention.
* Not having signed the informed consent to participate in the study
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial studied whether physical exercise can help manage lymphedema after breast cancer treatment — is exercise-based therapy something I should be exploring for my own arm swelling, and would my doctor recommend it alongside or instead of other treatments?
2The study used thermography to measure lymphedema changes — is thermography something my care team uses or has access to, and could it give us a clearer picture of what's happening with my lymphedema compared to standard measurements alone?
3The trial also used the DASH questionnaire to track arm, shoulder, and hand function — how limited is my function in those areas right now, and should we be formally tracking that as part of my care?
4Since this trial is already completed, would my doctor be able to share or look into what the findings showed about whether exercise actually reduced lymphedema, and how that might apply to my specific situation?
5What type or intensity of physical exercise did studies like this one typically involve, and given my current health and treatment stage, would my doctor consider referring me to a physical therapist or lymphedema specialist to design a safe exercise plan?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Perimeters
Timeframe: 10 weeks
2
Thermography
Timeframe: 10 weeks
3
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire