Acupuncture for Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer Treatment

Not Applicable

Withdrawn

Brief Summary: This study is being conducted to determine if electro-acupuncture can reduce swelling of the arm due to breast cancer treatment (commonly referred to as 'lymphedema'). Research conducted on animals suggests that such treatment might be used to improve circulation leading to reductions in swelling. Previous research in humans with lymphedema suggests that treatment may be safe to use, although results regarding its efficacy in the reduction of swelling have not yet been established.

This research will use sophisticated, non-invasive assessment methods to determine if a single session of electro-acupuncture treatment can be effective for reducing lymphedema. Results may be used to further develop our understanding of how electro-acupuncture can be used in the management of this condition. Electro-acupuncture may provide a promising complement or alternative to conventional lymphedema treatments such as compression bandaging, massage therapy or surgery.

Detailed Description: Participants will be invited to attend a 30-60 minute screening visit to determine eligibility. This screening visit will be located at a laboratory at McMaster University's Institute of Applied Health Sciences. Eligibility will be determined using health questionnaires and non-invasive physical assessment of the upper limbs. Participants may not be eligible for further participation based on their health status and risks to health and safety.

Participants meeting eligibility criteria will be invited to 1 scheduled appointment (30-60 minutes in duration). The appointment time will be scheduled according to individual symptoms, such that it will coincide with the time of day that lymphedema symptoms are predicted to be at their highest. Upon arrival at the scheduled appointment, participants will be randomized to receive 20 minutes of acupuncture+applied electrical stimulation or no treatment. Participants in both groups will be asked to provide physical assessment data over a period of 30 minutes during the scheduled appointment. Differences between groups in tissue swelling of the affected upper-limb will be determined immediately following treatment, and at 10 minutes following treatment.

Participants will be asked to report any significant changes to their health state for a period of 2 weeks following treatment. A follow-up questionnaire will be made available at 2 weeks following attendance of the scheduled appointment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

History or evidence of hormone-receptor positive cancer
Previous nodal dissection or radiotherapy to other regions
Contraindications for acupuncture or electrical stimulation
Pre-cancer or bi-lateral lymphedema
Evidence of active cancer
History of contralateral cancer, radiation or surgery
Edema of the neck/midline/torso
Pregnancy
Allergies to nickel, chromium, or silicon
Seizures (epilepsy)
Tremors (shakiness) that may interfere with treatment
Infections, scarring, open wounds, or broken skin at needle sites
Infections, open wounds, or broken skin on the upper limbs (electrode & landmark sites)

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Acupuncture + Electrical Stimulation	Acupuncture + Electrical Stimulation	Acupuncture needles are inserted beneath the skin and electrical stimulation applied for 20 minutes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in amount of arm tissue water determined by Bioimpedance Analysis	Before and after a 20 minute period at a single scheduled appointment	Bioimpedance analysis devices take readings using 8 electrode pads that are placed on top of the skin of the arms. The electrode pads are connected to a computer that transmits a small amount of electrical current between the electrode pads. The process of taking readings takes less than 1 minute and is painless (participants may not be able to feel it working).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in dermal concentration of red blood cells in the arm assessed using light polarization spectroscopy	Repeated measures during a single scheduled appointment - once every 2 minutes for 44 minutes	A digital camera is used to 'see under the skin' and measure the amount of red blood cells in the arm. The camera is an ordinary digital camera connected to special computer software. Assessment using the camera is harmless and patients will not be able to feel it working. A series of digital photographs of a small area of the arms will be taken. The computer uses these photographs to calculate a number that represents the amount of blood contained in the skin of the arm.
Change in arm circumference	Before and after a 20 minute period at a single scheduled appointment	Measurements are taken of both arms using a flexible measuring tape to be used in the calculation of size and volume.
Lymphedema Questionnaire	Administered at a single screening visit and 2 week follow up	Survey is administered to collect data pertaining to the condition of lymphedema.