The Effect of Hand Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast Cancer Lymphedema Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Effect of Hand Mobility and Grip Strengthening Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05983380
• Other study ID #: FY2023-183
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: April 2024
• Source: Texas Woman's University
• Contact: Elisabeth Wise, DPT
• Phone: 505-772-1770
• Email: EWise[@]phs.org
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of simple hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for upper extremity lymphedema will reduce limb volume and improve the quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength for those experiencing breast cancer-related lymphedema. Researchers will compare those receiving the usual treatment to those receiving the usual treatment plus hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises.

Description:

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of simple hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for upper extremity lymphedema will reduce limb volume and improve the quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength for those experiencing early, moderate, or late stage breast cancer-related lymphedema.

This study is an experimental clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of hand mobility and grip exercises on limb volume, quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. The two independent variables are group, a between-subject factor, and time, a within subject factor. There are two levels of the independent variable of group: (1)usual care plus hand exercises and (2) usual care alone. The independent variable of time will be assessed at three timepoints: initial to 4 weeks, 4 to 8 weeks, and initial to 8 weeks of intervention. The four dependent variables are: (1) upper limb volume, (2) quality of life, (3) hand dexterity, and (4) grip strength. If a relationship (r>0.5) is found between any of the dependent variables, MANOVA will used for analysis. If no relationship is found, a 2x3 mixed ANOVA will be used to analyze each dependent variable without a significant relationship to the others. The comparison group will receive the usual physical or occupational therapy treatment, including compression bandaging, manual lymphatic drainage, shoulder and scapular muscle exercises, and education regarding skin hygiene and monitoring. The experimental group will receive the usual treatment plus additional hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: September 30, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Biologic women age 18 years or older with a diagnosis of clinical lymphedema of one upper extremity-early (clinical), moderate, or late stage, following treatment for breast cancer within the previous 10 years.

• Women concurrently receiving immunotherapy or chemotherapy are eligible for inclusion, but an additional information request may be necessary (e.g., any activity restrictions and nadir periods) to determine whether they can safely participate in the exercise activities and apply compression.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior history of paresis in either upper limb, though paresis related to nerve compression from increased lymphatic volume will be eligible for inclusion.

• Current open wounds (> 0.5 inch in length or diameter) of the axilla or edematous upper limb would be excluded, though the presence of lymphorrhea without visible skin tears will be eligible for inclusion.

• Previous treatment for upper limb lymphedema or a prior diagnosis of congestive heart failure or end-stage renal disease due to the impact on edematous limbs and risk of cardiac overload.

• Women who cannot speak or read English or Spanish sufficiently to complete the Lymphedema Life Impact Scale or understand the consent forms, educational information, and printed exercises will be excluded.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Breast Cancer Lymphedema
• Breast Neoplasms
• Lymphedema

Intervention

Other:
• Hand Mobility and Grip Strengthening Exercises
Addition of hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for breast cancer-related lymphedema to assess changes in limb volume, quality of life, and hand function.
• Usual Care
Manual lymphatic drainage, compression, exercise, skin hygiene.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Presbyterian Healthplex	Albuquerque	New Mexico
United States	Presbyterian Southern Outpatient Rehab	Rio Rancho	New Mexico
United States	Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center	Santa Fe	New Mexico

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Texas Woman's University	Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (7)

Ahmad FB, Anderson RN. The Leading Causes of Death in the US for 2020. JAMA. 2021 May 11;325(18):1829-1830. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.5469. No abstract available. — View Citation

Ahmed RL, Prizment A, Lazovich D, Schmitz KH, Folsom AR. Lymphedema and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: the Iowa Women's Health Study. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Dec 10;26(35):5689-96. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2008.16.4731. Epub 2008 Nov 10. — View Citation

Chromy A, Zalud L, Dobsak P, Suskevic I, Mrkvicova V. Limb volume measurements: comparison of accuracy and decisive parameters of the most used present methods. Springerplus. 2015 Nov 19;4:707. doi: 10.1186/s40064-015-1468-7. eCollection 2015. — View Citation

Davies C, Levenhagen K, Ryans K, Perdomo M, Gilchrist L. Interventions for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Clinical Practice Guideline From the Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy of APTA. Phys Ther. 2020 Jul 19;100(7):1163-1179. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa087. — View Citation

De Groef A, Van Kampen M, Dieltjens E, Christiaens MR, Neven P, Geraerts I, Devoogdt N. Effectiveness of postoperative physical therapy for upper-limb impairments after breast cancer treatment: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Jun;96(6):1140-53. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.01.006. Epub 2015 Jan 13. — View Citation

Feys P, Lamers I, Francis G, Benedict R, Phillips G, LaRocca N, Hudson LD, Rudick R; Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium. The Nine-Hole Peg Test as a manual dexterity performance measure for multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017 Apr;23(5):711-720. doi: 10.1177/1352458517690824. Epub 2017 Feb 16. — View Citation

Giray E, Akyuz G. Assessment of Family Caregiver Burden and Its Relationships Between Quality of Life, Arm Disability, Grip Strength, and Lymphedema Symptoms in Women with Postmastectomy Lymphedema: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study. Eur J Breast Health. 2019 Feb 15;15(2):111-118. doi: 10.5152/ejbh.2019.4385. eCollection 2019 Apr. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Upper Limb volume	Circumferential measurements of the upper limb, converted to volumetric measurements with frustrum equation through Epic EMR.	Day 1, at 4 weeks, at 8 weeks of treatment/completion of study.
Secondary	Grip Strength	Grip Strength assessed with Jamar Hand Dynamometer.	Day 1, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks of treatment/completion of study.
Secondary	Nine-Hole Peg Test	Nine-Hole Peg Test with affected limb only to assess dexterity.	Day 1, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks of treatment/completion of study.
Secondary	Lymphedema Life Impact Scale	Participants fill out Lymphedema Life Impact Scale, a self-report survey to assess quality of life.	Day 1, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks of treatment/completion of study.