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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00058851

Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Swelling of the Arms

The purpose of this study is to examine the short-term and long-term efficacy of massage therapy alone compared to massage therapy plus compression bandaging in the treatment of breast cancer treatment-related swelling of the arms and legs.

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Key information

Conditions

Lymphedema Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Lymphatic Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, 85724, United States

About this study

Massage therapy (in the form of manual lymph drainage [MLD]) and compression bandaging (CB) are integral components of combined physical therapy (CPT), the recommended treatment for peripheral lymphedema (LE). According to the World Health Organization, LE afflicts hundreds of millions worldwide and probably millions in the United States. Effects of various forms of massage on lymph circulation have been postulated for more than a century, but the efficacy of MLD alone without CB has not been demonstrated. New data suggest that MLD alone reduces established LE volume as effectively as CB in combination with CPT and minimizes LE development.

Patients will be randomly assigned to either treatment with MLD alone or a combination of MLD and CB. Patients will be treated in 10 one-hour sessions over 2 weeks. They will also undergo lymphangioscintigraphy (a nuclear medicine test) to depict the function of their lymphatic system. Patients will continue self treatment at home and will be followed for 6 months.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Lymphedema (5% to 20% increase in volume) after breast cancer treatment

Exclusion criteria

  • Physically unable to perform massage or bandaging during home program

Treatment and study plan

Manual lymph drainage

Procedure

Combined physiotherapy

Procedure

Compression bandaging

Procedure

Primary outcomes

  1. volume change

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Important dates

Study start
2003
Study completion
2007
First posted
Apr 15, 2003
Registry last updated
Aug 19, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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