Effects of Core-Focused Exercise Training and Kinesiology Taping in Women With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

June 23, 2026 updated by: SERAP ÖZGÜL, Hacettepe University

Effects of Core-Focused Exercise Training and Kinesiology Taping Combined With Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy on Posture, Pain, Function, and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of trunk- focused exercise training and kinesiology taping, in addition to standard lymphedema treatment (complex decongestive therapy-CDT) on posture, pain, functionality and quality of life in women with breast cancer related lymphedema. This study is designed as a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Lymphedema negatively affects the musculoskeletal system, leading to shoulder girdle muscle imbalances, cervical and thoracolumbar pain, scapular dysfunction and spinal postural alterations. Although CDT is considered the gold standard for edema management, its effects have primarily been evaluated in terms of edema reduction and symptom control, and there is limited evidence regarding its impact on posture, musculoskeletal symptoms, and quality of life, as well as the potential effects of prolonged compression bandaging applied during the intensive phase on these systems.

Trunk-focused exercise training is expected to improve spinal stability, mobility and postural control, while kinesiology taping may help alleviate musculoskeletal symptoms by providing proprioceptive input and mechanical support. By combining these interventions, this study aims to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation approach targeting both physical and functional impairments. If additional improvements in posture, pain, function, and quality of life are observed compared to a control group receiving CDT combined with lower extremity exercise and placebo taping, these findings will support the added value of a multimodal rehabilitation approach beyond standard care.

The findings of this randomized placebo-controlled trial are expected to contribute to the literature by providing evidence for a comprehensive and holistic treatment approach in breast cancer-related lymphedema and to support the integration of trunk-focused exercise training and kinesiology taping into routine clinical practice. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no randomized placebo-controlled study investigating the effects of trunk-focused exercise training and kinesiology taping in addition to CDT on posture, pain, functionality, and quality of life.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

46

Phase

  • 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 Locations

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 40 and 65 years
  • Diagnosis of stage 1-2 lymphedema according to the International Society of Lymphology classification system
  • History of radical surgery due to primary breast cancer, with at least 6 months elapsed since surgery
  • Completion of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy
  • Presence of pain with a score of ≥3 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) in at least one of the lumbar, thoracic, or cervical regions
  • No cooperation problems in completing the study questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m²
  • Presence of active infection
  • Presence of active malignancy or metastasis
  • Presence of neurological disease
  • History of bilateral breast cancer
  • Presence of extremity deformity, scoliosis, cauda equina syndrome, or history of whiplash injury
  • Presence of motor or sensory neurological deficits (to be clinically assessed by manual muscle testing and superficial sensory examination)
  • History of spinal surgery
  • Presence of any spinal pathology

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Complex decongestive therapy, trunk-focused exercise and kinesiology taping
Trunk-focused exercise and kinesiology taping
Other: Complex Decongestive Therapy
Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and skin care, is considered the gold standard treatment for lymphedema.
Other: Trunk Focused exercises
Postural and spinal stabilization exercises will be performed three times per week in supine, side-lying, quadruped, sitting, and standing positions, with 8-10 repetitions for each exercise.
Other: Kinesiology taping
Kinesiology taping will be applied bilaterally to the scalene, trapezius, and paraspinal muscles using a muscle facilitation technique twice per week.
Placebo Comparator: Complex decongestive therapy, plasebo taping and lower extremity exercises
Lower extremity exercises and plasebo taping
Other: Complex Decongestive Therapy
Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and skin care, is considered the gold standard treatment for lymphedema.
Other: Lower extremity exercises
Lower extremity range of motion exercises will be performed three times per week, with 8-10 repetitions for each exercise.
Other: Placebo taping
Placebo kinesiology taping without tension will be applied to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions twice per week.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mean of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain intensity scores
Time Frame: Change in mean cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain intensity scores from baseline to the end of the third week.
Pain intensity in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the mean of these scores will be calculated; participants will rate their pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Change in mean cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain intensity scores from baseline to the end of the third week.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Thoracic kyphosis angle
Time Frame: Change in thoracic kyphosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis will be assessed using a flexicurve device. With the participant in a relaxed standing posture, the assessor will identify and mark the C7-T12 and L1-S2 spinous processes by palpation. The flexicurve will then be molded along the spine and its contour transferred onto paper. The flexicurve index and kyphosis angle will then be calculated using standard geometric and trigonometric formulas
Change in thoracic kyphosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Lumbar lordosis angle
Time Frame: Change in lumbar lordosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis will be assessed using a flexicurve device. With the participant in a relaxed standing posture, the assessor will identify and mark the C7-T12 and L1-S2 spinous processes by palpation. The flexicurve will then be molded along the spine and its contour transferred onto paper. The flexicurve index and kyphosis angle will then be calculated using standard geometric and trigonometric formulas
Change in lumbar lordosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Pain pressure threshold
Time Frame: Change in pain pressure threshold from baseline to the end of the third week.
Pain pressure threshold will be assessed using an algometer. Measurements will be taken three times from the midpoint of the upper trapezius, thoracic, and lumbar paraspinal muscles with participants in a seated position, and the mean value will be recorded.
Change in pain pressure threshold from baseline to the end of the third week.
Patient assessment of Postural Awareness
Time Frame: Change in postural awareness from baseline to the end of the third week.
Postural awareness will be evaluated using the Postural Awareness Scale (PAS). This self-reported Likert-type scale consists of 12 items, each rated from 1 (not at all true for me) to 7 (completely true for me), and is designed to assess an individuals awareness of their own body posture.
Change in postural awareness from baseline to the end of the third week.
Upper extremity functionality
Time Frame: Change in upper extremity functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Upper extremity functionality will be assessed using the short version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH). This patient-reported outcome measure consists of 11 items evaluating physical function and symptoms of the upper extremity, each with five response options, and yields a score ranging from 0 to 100
Change in upper extremity functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Upper Limb Functionality
Time Frame: Change in functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Functionality will be assessed using the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for the Upper Limb (Lymph-ICF-UL). This descriptive and evaluative tool consists of 29 items assessing impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in patients with lymphedema. The questionnaire is divided into five domains (physical function, mental function, household activities, mobility activities, and life/social activities) and each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 10.
Change in functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Patient assessment of Quality of life
Time Frame: Change in quality of life from baseline to the end of the third week.
Quality of life will be assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey. This scale, developed to evaluate individuals' physical and mental health status, consists of 12 items and includes two main components: physical and mental health. The total score ranges from 0 to 100.
Change in quality of life from baseline to the end of the third week.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Hacettepe University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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 (Estimated)

August 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 15, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 23, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • FTREK26/10

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

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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