Subclinical Lymphedema Treatment Study (SLT)

October 20, 2025 updated by: Megan Klote, Mercy Research

Treatment Indications for Breast Cancer-related Subclinical Lymphedema Identified Through a Bioimpedance Surveillance Model

Primary Objective

  • To compare the effectiveness of 2 treatment protocols for patients with breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema identified through bioimpedance spectroscopy, L-dex scores

Secondary Objectives

  • To determine the necessary duration of intervention to reverse L-dex scores back to a normal range in patients with breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema
  • To determine the time elapsed post-surgically to the development of subclinical lymphedema identified by bioimpedance spectroscopy, L-dex scores
  • To identify risk factors for the development of subclinical lymphedema in patients with breast cancer
  • To identify factors associated with the progression to clinical lymphedema following treatment of subclinical lymphedema as identified by bioimpedance spectroscopy, L-dex scores

Women with breast cancer diagnoses and planned axillary lymph node procedures will receive pre-operative screening of arm volume with bioimpedance, which will capture baseline measurements. Then, subjects will undergo periodic screenings for the first 3 years following surgery. If a significant change in volume compared to baseline is detected with bioimpedance, subjects will be randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The outcomes of 2 treatment protocols will be compared. Additionally, subjects will be screened each week during their treatment interventions to determine the necessary quantity of intervention before L-dex scores normalize.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Lymphedema is an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial tissues resulting from an impairment of the normal lymphatic drainage of the affected region. Lymphedema is often a side effect of breast cancer treatments such as axillary lymph node surgery and radiation, as these procedures are damaging to the lymphatic structures. Due to poor awareness of the condition, minimal education is given to patients about their risk for lymphedema as a result of cancer treatments. With inconsistent diagnostic methods, many cases of breast cancer-related lymphedema are diagnosed after the condition has progressed to its irreversible and chronic form, i.e. clinical lymphedema.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) uses a low frequency electrical current to assess extracellular fluid of the limbs. BIS has proven to be a sensitive and specific tool for detecting subclinical lymphedema (Stage 0) and has been validated in its use within a surveillance model. Recent literature supports the use of a surveillance model to identify breast cancer-related subclinical lymphedema to allow for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the importance of early identification of lymphedema in the subclinical stage, there is limited evidence to guide treatment of this patient population. Treatment parameters for subclinical lymphedema stem primarily from a study by Stout et al. indicating that a short compression trial (mean duration of 4.4 weeks) of 20-30 mmHg garments effectively treated subclinical lymphedema identified by perometry by preventing progression to late-stage lymphedema.

Surveillance of arm volume will be performed using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) testing with the Impedimed® L-dex U400. Subjects will receive BIS testing (1) pre-operatively, (2) post-operatively at 6 weeks, (3) 3 months, (4) 6 months, (5) 12 months, (6) 18 months, (7) 24 months, and (8) 36 months. The outcome measure will be the L-dex score.

Only subjects who have an abnormal result will be enrolled in the experimental portion of the study. If an L-dex score is abnormal (defined by a change of +7 units from her pre-operative baseline), the subject is determined to exhibit subclinical lymphedema. As a result, these subjects will be randomized into one of two intervention groups. The group receiving only compression intervention will be referred to as the compression group (CG). The group receiving Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and compression will be referred to as the therapy group (TG).

Subjects will be followed through screenings for a maximum of 3 years post-surgically.

The investigators hope that this study will take the next step in the surveillance model by answering questions about how patients with subclinical lymphedema should be clinically managed.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
267

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Missouri
      • St Louis, Missouri, United States, 63141
        • Mercy David C. Pratt Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

New diagnosis of breast cancer, Female, 18 years of age or older, Upcoming unilateral axillary lymph node procedure (biopsy or dissection), Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Pre-existing diagnosis of lymphedema, as diagnosed by physician, History of axillary lymph node procedure, including biopsy, dissection, or radiation to, Pregnancy, Pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, Stage 4-5 kidney disease, Severe liver disease, Active infection, Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis, Unmanaged congestive heart failure or a cardiac event in the past 6 months, Prisoners

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Compression Group

Subjects in the Compression Group will wear 20-30 mmHg sleeves and gauntlets daily for a maximum of 4 weeks. L-dex will be performed at the end of each week. If the L-dex score has reversed back into normal range, intervention (garment wearing) will be discontinued and the subject will resume the surveillance schedule of screenings. If the L-dex score is still abnormal, garment wearing continues. If L-dex score is abnormal even at the end of the 4 weeks, the subject will be removed from the study and referred to standard lymphedema therapy.

An abnormal L-dex is defined by 7 or more units change compared to the subject's pre-surgical baseline.
Other: 20-30 mmHg compression sleeve and gauntlet

Compression garments are Juzo Soft, circular knit. Most will be off-the-shelf sizing, but custom when necessary.

Garment fittings will be performed by Certified Lymphedema Therapists.
Experimental: Therapy Group

Subjects in the Therapy Group will wear 20-30 mmHg sleeves and gauntlets daily and receive Manual Lymphatic Drainage 3x/week for a maximum of 4 weeks. L-dex will be performed at the end of each week. If the L-dex score has reversed back into normal range, intervention will be discontinued and the subject will resume the surveillance schedule of screenings. If the L-dex score is abnormal, intervention continues. If L-dex score is abnormal even at the end of the 4 weeks, the subject will be removed from the study and referred to standard lymphedema therapy.

An abnormal L-dex is defined by 7 or more units change compared to the subject's pre-surgical baseline.
Other: 20-30 mmHg compression sleeve and gauntlet

Compression garments are Juzo Soft, circular knit. Most will be off-the-shelf sizing, but custom when necessary.

Garment fittings will be performed by Certified Lymphedema Therapists.

Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle skin-stretch massage that stimulates the lymphatic system and assists in creating collateral drainage pathways out of non-intact (damaged) lymphatic territories. MLD is a critical part of Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which is accepted as the international standard of care in the treatment of lymphedema.

The MLD sessions will be performed by 2 Certified Lymphedema Therapists, Megan Klote and Sarah Stolker, both trained through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. The therapists have completed reliability meetings regarding MLD sequencing and techniques.

Other Names:
  • MLD

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Time Frame
L-dex scores
Time Frame: 3 years post-operatively
3 years post-operatively

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Mercy Research

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
ImpediMed Limited

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Megan T Klote, DPT, CLT-LANA, Mercy Research

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 21, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 22, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 25, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 22, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 20, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 1070741-1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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Conditions

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