Evaluation of Home Program and Telerehabilitation for the Treatment Process in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema
- Sponsor
- Marmara University
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Symptom Severity
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 2 years ago
Overview
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.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
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
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Symptom Severity
Time Frame: Time Frame: 8 weeks
Shoulder pain, tightness, sensation of heaviness, and stiffness were evaluated using a numerical scale (1 to 10 points)
Functionality
Time Frame: Time Frame: 8 weeks
Ouick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire
Efficacity
Time Frame: Time Frame: 8 weeks
Lymphedema Quality of Life Impact Scale
Volume Measurements
Time Frame: Time Frame: 8 weeks
Arm measurement was measured with a tape measure at 4 cm intervals and calculated using the cone method in cm3
Secondary Outcomes
- Patient satisfaction with the treatment(Time Frame: 8 weeks)
- patients were asked to compare their hand functionality to before the injury(Time Frame: 8 weeks)