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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06602180

Scapular PNF and Activity Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy on Shoulder Dysfunction Post Matectomy Lymphedema

Ninety -three female patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction after breast cancer-related arm lymphedema, will National Cancer Institute (Cairo university) be randomly distributed into three groups equal in number.

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Key information

Conditions

Upper Limb Edema

Age range

40 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Physical Therapy

Cairo, 2222, Egypt

About this study

In this study the patients will be randomly assigned into three groups (Thirty - one patient for each group):

Group (A):

Thirty-one patients will receive: Scapular PNF technique, Activity-Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy (TAPA) technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT).

Group (B):

Thirty-one patients will receive Scapular PNF technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT))

Group (C):

Thirty-one patients will receive Activity-Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy (TAPA) technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT)

.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

The subject selection will be according to the following criteria:

  • Age range between 40-60 years.
  • Only female patients will participate in the study.
  • All female patients diagnosed as unilateral breast cancer.
  • All Female patients operated on for BC with BCRL in stages I and II.
  • All female patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction after breast cancer-related arm lymphedema.
  • All patients enrolled to the study will have their informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

The potential participants will be excluded if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Patients with health problems, diseases or dysfunctions that prevented them from participating in the intervention.
  • Patients with bilateral lymphedema.
  • Patients with previous primary lymphedema.
  • Patients with metastasis.
  • Patients whom staging was not possible due to atypical findings or poor image.
  • Patients with active arm infection.

Treatment and study plan

Scapular PNF technique, (TAPA) technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT).

Other

Complex or combined decongestive physical therapy (CDT):

skin care and patient education, manual lymphatic drainage MLD, joints exercises, and compression garments.

Scapular PNF:

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is treatment approach that focus on motor learning, helps the patient to relax, improves coordination, and normalizes the motion. The repeated contractions technique increases active range of motion and strength and guides the patient's motion towards the desired motion,

TAPA involves an intervention protocol composed of:

10-min neuro dynamics oriented to the activity 10-min proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation activities. 10-min proprioceptive anti-edema bandaging, including patient and/or caretaker instructions for placement, as well as assistance on techniques to use for performing everyday activities,

Scapular PNF technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT))

Other

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is treatment approach that focus on motor learning, helps the patient to relax, improves coordination, and normalizes the motion. The repeated contractions technique increases active range of motion and strength and guides the patient's motion towards the desired motion,

Complex or combined decongestive physical therapy (CDT):

skin care and patient education, manual lymphatic drainage MLD, joints exercises, and compression garments

Activity-Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy (TAPA) technique for the affected shoulder region plus conventional physiotherapy program in a form of (Complex decongestive therapy (CDT)

Other

Activity-Oriented Proprioceptive Antiedema Therapy TAPA:

TAPA involves an intervention protocol composed of:

  • 10-min neuro dynamics oriented to the activity
  • 10-min proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation activities.
  • 10-min proprioceptive anti-edema bandaging, including patient and/or caretaker instructions for placement, as well as assistance on techniques to use for performing everyday activities,

Complex or combined decongestive physical therapy (CDT):

skin care and patient education, manual lymphatic drainage MLD, joints exercises, and compression garments

Primary outcomes

  1. Cone formula for lymphedema assessment

    Time frame: three months

    the truncated cone formula. V = h C12 + C1C2 + C22 =12 (where V = extremity volume, h = height, C1 = circumference of the top of the cone, C2 = circumference of the base of the cone) as both extremities will be measured from the wrist to the top of the arm (axillary fold) at 4-cm intervals

  2. Digital inclinometer for scapular range and shoulder range assessment

    Time frame: three months

    The digital inclinometer demonstrates moderate to excellent reliability in evaluating both shoulder and scapular range in case of shoulder disorder

  3. Upper limb function/activity performance: Measured with e Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH):

    Time frame: three months

    The arm, shoulder, and hand problems quick questionnaire (Quick-Dash) used to evaluate the symptom severity and functional capacity of the patients

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Scapular Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Activity Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy on Shoulder Dysfunction Post Matectomy Lymphedema

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2025

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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