Effect of Preoperative Rehabilitation Exercise on Improving Postoperative Lymphedema, Quality of Life and Care Needs in Patients With Breast Cancer Surgery
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Enrollment
- 105
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Postoperative Upper Extremity Lymphedema Severity (Arm Circumference)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, with surgery being a primary treatment. However, surgical tumor resection combined with lymph node dissection often leads to upper extremity lymphedema as a complication. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative rehabilitation exercise on upper limb function, lymphedema severity, quality of life, and post-discharge care needs in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery.
Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving individualized preoperative rehabilitation exercise instruction or a control group receiving standard clinical nursing education. Outcomes will be measured across seven time points from pre-operation up to one year post-surgery.
Detailed Description
Background:
Surgical resection combined with axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients frequently causes upper extremity lymphedema, negatively impacting physical function and quality of life. Implementing upper limb rehabilitation exercises prior to surgery may facilitate functional recovery and reduce postoperative complications.
Objectives:
- To evaluate the effect of preoperative upper limb rehabilitation exercise on reducing postoperative lymphedema in patients with breast cancer.
- To examine changes in quality of life and home care needs following preoperative rehabilitation intervention.
- To analyze factors influencing upper extremity function, lymphedema severity, quality of life, and care needs among breast cancer surgical patients.
Methods & Procedures:
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Non Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 20 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Diagnosed with malignant breast cancer confirmed by post-surgical tissue examination.
- •Receiving primary surgery, including tumor resection combined with axillary lymph node dissection.
- •Age 20 years or older.
- •Conscious, able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese, aware of diagnosis, capable of completing questionnaires and participating in interventions, and signed informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Severe cognitive impairment or unaware of diagnosis, unable to complete questionnaires or correctly execute intervention measures.
- •Patients in the control group who independently schedule outpatient rehabilitation after returning home.
- •Unable to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese.
- •Undergoing breast reconstruction surgery.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Postoperative Upper Extremity Lymphedema Severity (Arm Circumference)
Time Frame: Baseline (1 day pre-operation), Postoperative Day 1, Week 2, Week 4, Month 3, Month 6, and Year 1
Measured by changes in upper extremity arm circumference (in centimeters) at standardized anatomical points to evaluate lymphedema severity.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported