Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Exercise Program With Specific Upper Limb Exercises to Reduce Lymphedema and Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pre-post Study (LYNMA)

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07170631

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya30 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic exercise program designed specifically for women with breast cancer. The program includes general exercises along with specific movements for the upper limb to help reduce common side effects of cancer treatment such as lymphedema (swelling of the arm) and neuropathy (nerve pain or numbness). Participants will undergo the exercise program and be assessed before and after to determine improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life. The goal is to provide evidence that targeted physical therapy can improve recovery and well-being in breast cancer survivors.

This pre-post intervention study aims to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive therapeutic exercise program tailored for breast cancer patients experiencing lymphedema and neuropathy secondary to cancer treatment. The program combines general physical exercises with specific upper limb movements targeting symptom reduction and functional improvement. Participants will be evaluated before and after the intervention to measure changes in arm swelling, nerve symptoms, physical function, and quality of life. The study will contribute valuable data on non-pharmacological rehabilitation strategies that could enhance recovery and reduce long-term complications in breast cancer survivors.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Lymphedema Arm

Interventions

Therapeutic exerciseOTHER

Participants will follow a 3-month therapeutic exercise program combining general exercises with specific upper limb exercises, including hand proprioception and neurodynamic techniques. Two group sessions per week (1 to 1.15 hours each) will be conducted, with at least 24 hours between sessions. Each session includes warm-up, three progressive work blocks with strength, mobility, and balance exercises, and a cool-down. Strength training uses body weight and equipment, with intensity guided by the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, progressing safely from moderate to higher levels. Mobility and balance exercises target trunk, upper and lower limbs, and postural control. Neurodynamic techniques focus on median, radial, and ulnar nerves using neural sliding and intermittent tension, stopping exercises if pain exceeds 4/10. Supervised by experienced physiotherapists, the program aims to reduce lymphedema and neuropathy symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 35 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients receiving treatment for breast carcinoma.reatments include surgical procedures (breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy), axillary lymph node dissection, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. * Participants must provide authorization from their primary care physician and/or oncologist to perform therapeutic exercise. * Diagnosis of lymphedema associated with stage I or II breast cancer (Stage 1 or mild: circumference difference less than 4 cm \[volume difference 10-25%\] compared to the healthy arm; Stage 2 or moderate: circumference difference between 4 and 6 cm \[volume difference 25-50%\] compared to the healthy arm). * A score of 4 or higher on the DN4 questionnaire (neuropathic pain) Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of medical authorization. * Pre-existing cardiac pathology prior to cancer diagnosis. * Exacerbation of comorbidities. * Travel time exceeding 45 minutes to the location where the therapeutic exercise program is conducted.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Excess limb volume (%) compared to the unaffected limb

Excess volume of the affected limb (percentage compared to the unaffected limb). The volume of each limb will be measured manually using a measuring tape by taking circumferences every 4 centimeters from the wrist to the axilla. Limb volume will be calculated using the Kuhnke formula: Volume equals the sum of the squares of the circumferences (C1 squared plus C2 squared plus ... plus Cn squared) divided by pi, where C1, C2, … Cn are the circumferences measured at different points along the limb.