Decongestive Exercise and Compression for Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Management (DREAM)
Breast Neoplasm, Lymphedema
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Breast Neoplasm
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Is a female with a history of breast cancer;
- Has undergone surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection;
- Has unilateral mild to moderate lymphedema of at least 200 ml or 10% inter-limb volume difference or a maximum of 40% and/or minimal volume difference of 100 ml or 5% in hand and forearm region;
- Has chronic lymphedema, defined as lymphedema that has been present for at least 3 months;
- Is in the lymphedema maintenance phase of conservative treatment;
- Uses a well fitted compression sleeve (not older than 1 month) and is agreeable to wear the sleeve for a minimum of 12 hours per day (providing a minimum of 30 mm Hg of pressure);
- Is agreeable to discontinuing other lymphedema treatments, including manual lymph drainage and intermittent pneumatic compression during the supervised intervention period of the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Are undergoing or are scheduled for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological therapy;
- Present with limb infection, deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, or have active metastatic disease;
- Have any neurological, cognitive deficit or other uncontrolled health condition that may interfere with assessment and/or the progressive resistance exercise training intervention;
- Have any contraindications related to wearing compression on the limb, including arterial insufficiency or congestive heart failure;
- Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m2.
Sites / Locations
- University of Alberta/ Cross Cancer Institute
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Experimental
Experimental
Standard Care
Exercise and Compression Garment
Exercise and Adjustable Compression Wrap
Standard care Intervention: including a home program of therapeutic (decongestive) exercise, which will include active, non-resistive motion of the involved limb. Participants will perform the exercise once daily for about 10 minutes and will be required to wear their compression sleeve for at least 12 hours per day, each day of the week. After 24 weeks, they will be given the opportunity to take part in the decongestive progressive resistance exercise program and will be provided with an adjustable compression garment to use during exercise.
Intervention will include having participants wear a compression sleeve during exercise. They will wear the sleeve while carrying out the decongestive progressive resistance exercise program and will continue wearing their day-time compression garment for at least 12 hours per day, each day of the week. They will attend a supervised decongestive progressive resistance exercise program twice a week for 12 weeks at the Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic in Corbett Hall at the University of Alberta. Exercise session will take approximately 60-90 minutes. After 12 Weeks, participants will continue the same program twice weekly for an additional 12 weeks in a community-based fitness center or at home.
Intervention will include having participants will be fitted for an adjustable compression wrap. They will be required to wear the adjustable compression wrap during the decongestive progressive resistance exercise program and will continue wearing their compression sleeve at least 12 hours per day, each day of the week. They will attend a supervised decongestive progressive resistance exercise program twice a week for 12 weeks at the Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic in Corbett Hall at the University of Alberta. Exercise session will take approximately 60-90 minutes. After 12 weeks, participants will continue the same program twice weekly for an additional 12 weeks in a community-based fitness centre or at home.