Acupuncture to reduce symptoms of lymphoedema in women recovering from breast cancer

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Cardiovascular - Diseases of the vasculature and circulation including the lymphatic system; Cancer - Breast; ymphoedema following breast cancer; Lymphoedema following breast cancer; Alternative and Complementary Medicine - Other alternative and complementary medicine

• Registration Number: ACTRN12612000607875
• Lead Sponsor: niversity of Western Sydney

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2012-06-06
• Last Update Posted: 13 January 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

Stable unilateral intransient lymphoedema is present for at least 6 months for women with a history of breast cancer, and:

No intensive therapy (ie decongestive therapy) within the past 3 months.

No infections in the lymphoedematous limb within the past 3 months requiring antibiotics, and no exacerbation that led to change in daily activities.

The BIS inter-limb threshold (determined in a healthy age-matched cohort accounting for limb dominance for at least one 10cm segment (commencing from the ulnar styloid and proceeding up to the axilla) will be exceeded.

Are available for two months –(i.e. not planning to travel or move in the next 6 months) and are able to attend an acupuncturist at least 3 times per week.

Exclusion Criteria

Women will be excluded if they are currently receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer or they have previously received acupuncture for treatment of lymphoedema.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Volume of extracellular fluid will be assessed using bioimpedance spectroscopy.[Weekly for eight weeks consecutively, and at 12 weeks];Arm circumference will be measured from the ulnar styloid at 10 cm intervals.[Weekly for eight weeks consecutively, and at 12 weeks]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
ymphoedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Arm and Trunk.[Baseline, 8 and 12 weeks.];Change in lymphoedema symptoms will be assessed using a scale developed by Norman (adapted from the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale).[Baseline, 8 and 12 weeks.];Quality of life assessed using the self report MYMOP questionnaire.[Baseline, 8 and 12 weeks]