Acupuncture for Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine60 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on chronic upper limb lymphedema in patients with breast cancer surgery

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Interventions

acupunctureOTHER

Subjects in acupuncture group will be received acupuncture treatment by inserting LI11, SJ5, SJ9, SJ13, SJ10, HT3, PC2, LI4, and LI15 on the affected limb and RN12, RN9, RN6, RN4, SP9, SP6. Needles will be remained for 30 minutes each time after DeQi sensation, one time a day，three times a week, the treatment will be lasted for 7 weeks.

sham acupunctureOTHER

Subjects in control group will be treated with non-acupoint shallow needling, points will be selected 1 cm at the radial direction from acupoint LI11, SJ5, SJ9, SJ13, SJ10, LI4, HT3, PC2, LI4, LI15; 2 cm at the left of acupoint RN12, RN9, RN6, RN4; 1 cm at the tibial direction from SP9, SP6. The needling manipulation is the same as that of the acupuncture group, but only the superficial skin of points are punctured. The depth of needling is less than 0.5 cm, and no manipulation will be performed after puncturing the skin. Needles will be remained for 30 minutes each time,one time a day，three times a week, the treatment will be lasted for 7 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 6 months after breast cancer surgery and presents with persistent breast cancer related upper extremity lymphedema for at least 3 months. * Stage II lymphedema according to the 2016 consensus by the international society of lymphology. * Women aged 18 to 80 years * Out-patients * Estimated life expectancy \> 6 months * Upper extremity lymphedema is defined a more than 10% volume difference between the affected and unaffected arms Exclusion Criteria: * Bilateral breast cancer related lymphedema * Tumor metastasis or recurrent patient * Patients who is undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy or targeted therapy * Taking diuretic * Upper extremity lymphedema reached more than 80% volume difference between the affected and unaffected arms * History of primary lymphedema * A diagnosis of severe heart, liver, kidney or hematologic disease * Edema caused by upper extremity disability or other conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease or malnutrition * Have hypoproteinemia * Inflammation, scar, or trauma at the site of operation, or other active skin infections * Unable to self-care, had a history of psychological disorders, or unable to communicate * Received lymphedema treatment within the past 1 month * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * The presence of electronic medical device implants * Deny to sign the informed written consent, or unwilling to conform to randomization * Participation in other clinical trials during the study period

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Upper extremities volume

Volume measurement is also commonly used for the evaluation of lymphedema and the mean change in inter-limb volume difference from baseline to the end of the 7-week intervention will be included as primary outcome measure. The volume of the affected and unaffected limb will be measured by the volumetric measuring device (Baseline, America) using the water displacement method, which is considered as the most reliable method for volume measurements.

Time frame: 7 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Upper extremities circumferences

Various assessment methods are available but circumference measure is simple, convenient with low cost, and reliable. Therefore, the primary outcome measures will be the mean change in inter-limb circumference difference from baseline to the end of the 7-week intervention. The circumference will be measured by the measurement tape (Gulick Attachment, Baseline, America) at the wrist crease,5 cm above the wrist crease,10 cm above the wrist crease,15 cm above the wrist crease,20 cm above the wrist crease,25 cm above the wrist crease,30 cm above the wrist crease,35 cm above the wrist crease,where the lymphedema is most severe and its corresponding location on the unaffected limb.

Time frame: 7 weeks

VAS distension score

The VAS distension score is used to assess the degree of self-distension feeling at the affected upper extremities. It is evaluated by drawing a 10 cm horizontal line on the paper. One end of the horizontal line is 0, indicating no distension feeling; the other end is 10, indicating that the distension is unbearable; the middle part indicates different degrees of swelling. Let the subject draw a mark on the horizontal line according to the feeling of self-indicating degree of distension.

Time frame: 7 weeks

Common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE 4.03) - edema limbs criteria

Common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE 4.03) will be used to grade the severity of swelling using the edema limbs criteria. A grading of mild, moderate or severe swelling will be assessed based on the inter-limb circumference or volume discrepancy, anatomic architecture, appearance, or activities of daily living. The CTCAE 4.03 will allow us to evaluate the clinical significance of circumference change. Stages of lymphedema from the international society of lymphology Stages of lymphedema from the international society of lymphology will be used to grade the severity of lymphedema. Staging of 0, I, II, or III will be assessed based on severity of swelling, ability to reduce swelling by elevation, and skin changes.

Central Contacts

Pan XingFang

CONTACT

18649067519 panxingfang@163.com

Pan XingFang, Study Principal Investigator

CONTACT

18649067519 panxingfang@163.com

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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