View clinical trials related to Lymphedema.
Filter by:In lymphedema there is increase in water content of the tissue. We studied a device (MoistureMeterD) which is suitable to detect water contact in the tissue. Although the apparatus is commercially available, no validation study had been performed in vivo with local edema. We designed a validation study for inter- and intra observer variability and the reproducibility in vivo by histamin induced local edema
Although there is no doubt about the need for compression therapy in lymphoedema, it is not investigated in much detail how much pressure is needed to get optimum volume reduction. New research suggests that there is obviously an upper pressure limit beyond further increase of pressure seems contra productive. This upper limit is around 30-40 mm Hg of initial pressure exerted by inelastic bandages on the upper and around 50-60 mm Hg on the lower extremity. This study is designed to investigate the effect of pressure on %volume reduction of leg lymphoedema with 2 bandages which are very comparable in product properties (slippage, stiffness, etc.), but differ in their pressure exerted to the limb.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes physical and emotional challenges to breast cancer survivors. As a progressive condition, lymphedema can result in swelling/fibrosis that can impair function, promote infection, and cause discomfort and emotional distress. Daily self-care that is required to manage lymphedema is time-consuming, burdensome, and lifelong. Previous studies found that about half of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema do not complete self-care as directed. Feelings of being helpless to manage the condition, a desire to be normal, lack of noticeable results from self-care, and poor social/healthcare professional support are barriers to performing self-care on a regular basis. There is a need to develop and test interventions to promote effective self-care. Experts suggest the best self-care interventions should include patient perspectives and be available a readily accessible format. Technological advancements support use of innovative, creative approaches, such as Web-based multimedia interventions. Web-based interventions can be used in rural and urban settings. The investigators are proposing to develop a Web-based, multimedia intervention and a "take home" manual to support self-care in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. The investigators plan to conduct focus groups with these survivors to determine the content and delivery format(s) and to help us identify breast cancer survivors with lymphedema for the video component. The investigators will then develop an intervention that will include self-care demonstrations and other supportive information to help patients to cope with the challenges of self-care. The focus groups will reconvene, review the intervention, and give us feedback on modifying and refining the intervention. After finalizing the intervention, The investigators will recruit more breast cancer survivors with lymphedema and provide one half of them an education booklet and the other half the Web-based intervention (or an alternative format such as DVD). Then, over 12 months, the investigators will periodically assess and compare both groups on self-care behaviors, physical and emotional concerns, and other issues such as money spent on lymphedema treatment. The group that receives the education booklet will be given access to the Web-based intervention after the 12 month follow-up is done, but the investigators will not ask them to complete any more forms. This project builds upon the investigators prior work that has provided information about lymphedema self-care problems and the investigators previous experience in developing patient education videos and manuals. By providing accessible, detailed self-care instructions and a psychosocial component, this intervention has the potential to improve lymphedema self-care. If successful, this intervention can be offered to the larger national and international community of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.
The purpose of this multicenter randomised controlled study is to determine whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) brings any benefit when added to intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) plus multilayer, multicomponent bandages (MB) in the decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT) in patients with lymphedema
This study is being done because women have arm swelling for more than 6 months despite wrapping and other treatments. This swelling is called lymphedema. It is the back up of lymph system fluid that causes swelling in the arm. The swelling can just happen, but more commonly it is caused when lymph nodes are removed during cancer surgery. It can develop right after breast cancer treatment or weeks, months or even years later. In our preliminary research, the investigators found that more than 1/3 of the 33 patients showed at least a 30% reduction in lymphedema following acupuncture treatment and there were no serious adverse events during the treatment or 6 month followup. This study will include a larger group of patients. Patients will be assigned to one of two groups, and results of the groups will be compared to see if acupuncture can reduce lymphedema and whether the effect lasts after acupuncture treatment is completed.
Lymphedema is one side effect of breast cancer treatment. Measuring the edematous limb enables monitoring changes in the lymphedema and the effect of treatment. Circumference measurement using a measuring tape is an inexpensive simple method and therefore useful and widespread in clinical practice. Circumference measurement performance varies amongst therapists and lacks uniformity in the literature. To date, the effect of different limb positions on measurement results has not been examined. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe 1) the effect of position on upper limb volume measurement by using circumference measurement and 2) to examine whether the difference between positions are similar in the upper limbs of the same woman, and 3) between groups of women who are in the intensive phase, in the maintenance phase of lymphedema treatment and women without lymphedema
This clinical trial studies the physical function and quality-of-life before and after surgery in patients with stage I cervical cancer. Studying quality-of-life in patients undergoing surgery for cervical cancer may help determine the intermediate-term and long-term effects of surgery.
The goal of the study is to investigate the use of bio-impedance spectroscopy in the assessment of breast cancer related lymphoedema in patients operated with lumpectomy or mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy compared to inverse water volumetry. As a control group, patients with colon rectal cancer are used to compare volumetric and spectometric changes during follow-up.
The purpose of the National Breast Cancer Lymphedema Registry is to collect health information in order to study the lymphedema as a complication of breast cancer treatment. The investigators hope to learn whether early diagnosis will help to prevent lymphedema or, if it does occur, to reduce the severity.
Volumetry is essential for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with limb edema. The objective of this project is the validation of real-time reconstruction and calculation of limb volume using a 3D laser scanner. Water - displacement volumetry (water-filled boot) is the reference method with known accuracy and reproducibility, but is not commonly used in clinical practice because it is cumbersome, difficult, and time-consuming. The most commonly used method remains segmental limb perimetry with a tape measure, followed by volume calculation using the truncated cones formula, thus excluding de facts extremities (hands and feet) which can neither be likened to cones nor easily measured. Quantification limb volume and volume changes is essential for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with chronic venous insufficiency or lymphedema, two very common pathological conditions. It is mandatory for the evaluation of therapeutic approaches. The present study will use an innovative technology of volume acquisition by freehand laser scanning with a hand-held camera with Quantification limb volume and volume changes is essential for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with chronic venous insufficiency or lymphedema, two very common pathological conditions. It is mandatory for the evaluation of therapeutic approaches. The present study will use an innovative technology of volume acquisition by freehand laser scanning with a hand-held camera with real-time 3D reconstruction. Its advantages are non-contact, accurate and detailed quantification of edema, including extremities, allowing to assess the magnitude and topography of physiological, pathological, or treatment - induced volume changes. This approach will ultimately provide data that will used for designing personalized limb compression ortheses.