Neoplasms

Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

All Conditions

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Respiratory Tract (Lung and Bronchial) Diseases

Blood and Lymph Conditions

Symptoms and General Pathology

Behaviors and Mental Disorders

Breast Neoplasms

Influenza, Human

Lymphedema

Breast Cancer Lymphedema

Breast Diseases

Skin Diseases

Lymphatic Diseases

Postoperative Complications

Quality of Life

Participants will receive hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises in addition to the usual care for breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper limb.

Participants will receive only the usual care for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Addition of hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for breast cancer-related lymphedema to assess changes in limb volume, quality of life, and hand function.

Hand Mobility and Grip Strengthening Exercises

Manual lymphatic drainage, compression, exercise, skin hygiene.

Usual Care

Elisabeth Wise, DPT

Tiffany Ryan, MOT/R

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of simple hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for upper extremity lymphedema will reduce limb volume and improve the quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength for those experiencing breast cancer-related lymphedema. Researchers will compare those receiving the usual treatment to those receiving the usual treatment plus hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of simple hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises to the usual care for upper extremity lymphedema will reduce limb volume and improve the quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength for those experiencing early, moderate, or late stage breast cancer-related lymphedema.

This study is an experimental clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of hand mobility and grip exercises on limb volume, quality of life, hand dexterity, and grip strength in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. The two independent variables are group, a between-subject factor, and time, a within subject factor. There are two levels of the independent variable of group: (1)usual care plus hand exercises and (2) usual care alone. The independent variable of time will be assessed at three timepoints: initial to 4 weeks, 4 to 8 weeks, and initial to 8 weeks of intervention. The four dependent variables are: (1) upper limb volume, (2) quality of life, (3) hand dexterity, and (4) grip strength. If a relationship (r\>0.5) is found between any of the dependent variables, MANOVA will used for analysis. If no relationship is found, a 2x3 mixed ANOVA will be used to analyze each dependent variable without a significant relationship to the others. The comparison group will receive the usual physical or occupational therapy treatment, including compression bandaging, manual lymphatic drainage, shoulder and scapular muscle exercises, and education regarding skin hygiene and monitoring. The experimental group will receive the usual treatment plus additional hand mobility and grip strengthening exercises.

Two groups will be compared, with treatment occurring at the same time. One group will receive the experimental exercises plus the usual treatment, the comparison group will only receive the usual treatment for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Participants will be masked regarding whether they are assigned to the intervention or comparison group.

Biologic women due to increased prevalence of breast cancer diagnosis.

The Effect of Hand Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

The Effect of Hand Mobility and Grip Strengthening Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

No plan to share IPD with other researchers.

Circumferential measurements of the upper limb, converted to volumetric measurements with frustrum equation through Epic EMR.

Grip Strength assessed with Jamar Hand Dynamometer.

Nine-Hole Peg Test with affected limb only to assess dexterity.

Participants fill out Lymphedema Life Impact Scale, a self-report survey to assess quality of life.

Study title	NCT ID	Conditions	Interventions	Eligibility	Organization	Link
The Effect of Hand Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors	NCT05983380	Breast Cancer L...	Hand Mobility a... Usual Care	18 Years -	Texas Woman's University
The Effect of Hand Exercises on Upper Limb Volume, Quality of Life, and Hand Function in Breast Cancer Survivors	NCT05983380	Breast Cancer L...	Hand Mobility a... Usual Care	18 Years -	Texas Woman's University

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