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Effect of Preoperative Exercise on the Prevention of Secondary Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Breast Neoplasms
Interventions
Behavioral: Aerobic exercise, Strength training, Flexibility exercise
Registration Number
NCT06421285
Lead Sponsor
Asan Medical Center
Brief Summary

Research purpose: Lymphedema is a very common complication in breast cancer patients. However, since there is currently no curable treatment, it is important to prevent and reduce the severity of lymphedema. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether preoperative exercise is effective in preventing lymphedema after surgery. For secondary outcome, the preventive effects of exercise on other upper extremity dysfunctions (eg. pectoralis tightness, Axillary web syndrome, Adhesive capsulitis), which are common in breast cancer patients, were assessed.

Detailed Description

Study subjects:

* Patients aged 20 or older who were first diagnosed with breast cancer

* Patients scheduled to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery Study design: Prospective randomized controlled comparative clinical study

* Intervention is performed for at least 3 months during the neoadjuvant chemotherapy period before surgery.

* Treatment group: Individually tailored exercise consisting of aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises is prescribed, self-exercise compliance monitoring through an application, and diet management education through nutritional counseling.

* Control group: One session of flexibility exercise training, diet management education through nutritional counseling

Result variable:

* Primary outcome variable:

1) Incidence and severity of postoperative lymphedema: bilateral upper limb volume, ICG lymphography

* Secondary outcome variables:

1. Clinical information: Demographic, disease and treatment-related data

2. Physical-related: height/weight/waist circumference measurement, body composition test, physical examination (axillary membrane evaluation)

3. Upper extremity function (shortening of the pectoralis major muscle, adhesive capsulitis): evaluation of shoulder range of motion, upper extremity muscle strength/grip strength

4. Quality of life assessment: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30(EORTC QLQ-C30), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Breast cancer module 23(EORTC QLQ-BR23)

Assessment Schedule:

* Initial treatment and evaluation: Immediately after breast cancer diagnosis

* Follow-up evaluation: Immediately after completion of exercise intervention (preoperatively), and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.

Number of study subjects:

* This study will be conducted as a preliminary study for future research, and will be conducted on a total of 60 patients (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) with an allocation ratio between groups of 1:1.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients aged 20 or older and younger than 80 who were first diagnosed with breast cancer
  • Patients scheduled for surgery and starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients with medical contraindications to exercise intervention or pain or musculoskeletal conditions that may limit active exercise intervention

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention groupAerobic exercise, Strength training, Flexibility exerciseIndividually tailored exercise consisting of aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises is prescribed, self-exercise compliance monitoring through an application, and diet management education through nutritional counseling.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bilateral upper limb volumeImmediately, Preoperatively, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months.

Using a tape measure, measure the circumference from the wrist to the armpit every 4cm, then apply the ΣCircumference2/π formula to calculate the volume of the upper limb.

ICG lymphographyImmediately, 1 month, 6 months.

Indocyanine green (ICG) contrast agent is injected subcutaneously in the distal area, and lymph fluid flowing to the proximal area through collateral lymphatic vessels is checked with an infrared camera.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
EORTC QLQ-BR23Immediately, 6 months

Evaluate the patient's quality of life through the corresponding questionnaire

Body compositionImmediately, 6 months.

After attaching electrodes to both hands and feet using the Inbody S10 equipment, quantitatively evaluate body composition by measuring human body impedance using multiple frequencies.

Shoulder range of motionImmediately, Preoperatively, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months.

Measurements are made according to a standardized protocol using a goniometer.

Upper limb strength, grip strengthImmediately, 6 months

Using a digital hand held dynamometer, the strength of elbow flexion and extension, shoulder abduction, and flexor extensor muscles was measured.

Measure grip strength using a digital hand held dynamometer

EORTC QLQ-C30Immediately, 6 months

Evaluate the patient's quality of life through the corresponding questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Seoul Asan Medical Center

🇰🇷

Seoul, Seoul Special City, Korea, Republic of

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