Participants with lymphedema secondary to cancer treatment will participate in a two week rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment and a two week programme focusing on physical exercise. The purpose is to assess the effect of the rehabilitation programmes on lymphedema and measures of physical performance.
Traditionally, physical therapy treatment, e.g. manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging is used for treatment of cancer treatment induced lymphedema. Alternatively, lifestyle interventions are used as treatment, with focus on physical exercise. However, the effects of such interventions are scarcely documented. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the effect of physical therapy treatment and physical exercise on lymphedema and measures of physical performance. The study will be performed in a randomized cross-over design, encompassing 26 participants with secondary lymphedema related to cancer treatment. Firstly, half of the participants in the intervention group will be randomized to a two week rehabilitation programme focusing on physical activity while the other half to a rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment, and the other way around three months later. In addition. there will be a control group with cancer related lymphedema not participating in any rehabilitation programme. Pre and post of each of the two week rehabilitation periods the following measurements will be performed: The magnitude of lymphedema by volume measurements of the limbs (by DXA); measurements of maximal strength, range of movement, flexibility, balance, physical functionality and questionnaires about perceived health and level of physical activity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
28
Two weeks rehabilitation programme focusing on physical therapy treatment, e.g. manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging
Two weeks rehabilitation programme focusing on physical activity
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
Lillehammer, Norway
Lymphedema
Ratio of the volume of affected limb vs volume of nonaffected limb measured by DXA
Time frame: Change from before to the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Maximal strength
In handgrip and knee-extension
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Balance
One leg balance test
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Flexibility in hip and back
Sit and reach test
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Flexibility in shoulder
Back scratch test
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Test of physical functionality
Stand up and walk test
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Range of joint movement in the knee, degrees of movement measured with a protractor
Range of joint movement in the knee
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Range of joint movement in the elbow, degrees of movement measured with a protractor
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Range of joint movement in the elbow
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Self perceived health
Perceived health assessed by questionnaire
Time frame: Measured immediately before and at the end of each of the two week rehabilitation programmes.
Level of physical activity
Level of physical activity assessed by questionnaire
Time frame: Questionnaire will be completed immediately before the rehabilitation programmes, assessing the level of physical activity the prior three months.