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Scapulothoracic Stabilization and Postural Training in Upper Extremity Lymphedema

10 juillet 2026 mis à jour par: Idil Esin Unlu, Toros University

Effects of Scapulothoracic Stabilization and Postural Training Added to Standard Lymphedema Care on Muscle Strength, Posture and Functional Outcomes in Secondary Upper Extremity Lymphedema: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

This single-center randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of adding scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training to standard lymphedema care in women with secondary upper extremity lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard lymphedema care alone or standard care combined with scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training. Outcomes including scapular muscle strength, posture, upper extremity function, limb volume, and neck awareness will be assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at a 2-month follow-up. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of incorporating targeted stabilization and postural exercises into conventional lymphedema rehabilitation.

Aperçu de l'étude

Statut

Recrutement

Les conditions

Intervention / Traitement

Description détaillée

Secondary upper extremity lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment and is characterized by chronic swelling, pain, reduced muscle strength, impaired upper extremity function, and postural alterations. These impairments may negatively affect daily activities, body perception, and quality of life. Although Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is considered the gold standard for lymphedema management, conventional treatment primarily focuses on edema reduction and does not specifically address scapular stability, postural alignment, or neuromuscular control.

Altered scapulothoracic biomechanics and postural dysfunction are frequently observed in individuals with breast cancer-related lymphedema. These impairments may contribute to shoulder dysfunction, muscle weakness, compensatory movement patterns, and persistent functional limitations. Scapulothoracic stabilization exercises aim to restore scapular muscle balance and improve dynamic shoulder stability, whereas postural training promotes optimal alignment and body awareness. The combined application of these interventions may enhance functional recovery beyond the effects of standard CDT alone; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials remains limited.

This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training to standard lymphedema care in women with secondary upper extremity lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a control group receiving standard lymphedema care or an intervention group receiving standard care plus scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated allocation sequence, and all outcome assessments will be conducted by a blinded assessor.

Outcome measures will be collected at baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and at a 2-month follow-up. Primary and secondary outcomes will include scapular muscle strength measured with a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2), postural alignment assessed using the PostureScreen application, upper extremity function evaluated with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, limb volume calculated from serial circumference measurements, and neck awareness assessed using the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ). The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the clinical benefits of incorporating targeted scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training into conventional lymphedema rehabilitation and may contribute to the development of more comprehensive rehabilitation protocols for breast cancer survivors.

Type d'étude

Interventionnel

Inscription (Estimé)

60

Phase

  • N'est pas applicable

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

  • Nom: İdil Esin Ünlü, Assist. Prof. Dr.
  • Numéro de téléphone: +90 506 515 66 22
  • E-mail: idil.unlu@toros.edu.tr

Lieux d'étude

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

  • Adulte
  • Adulte plus âgé

Accepte les volontaires sains

Non

La description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female patients aged 18 to 65 years.
  • Diagnosed with secondary upper extremity lymphedema following breast cancer surgery (mastectomy).
  • Willing to participate in the study.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active infection (e.g., cellulitis or lymphangitis).
  • Advanced shoulder or cervical pathology.
  • Neurological disorders affecting upper extremity function.
  • Metastatic disease.
  • Receiving active chemotherapy.
  • Participation in another intensive lymphedema rehabilitation program within the previous 3 months.

Plan d'étude

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Objectif principal: Traitement
  • Répartition: Randomisé
  • Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
  • Masquage: Seul

Armes et Interventions

Groupe de participants / Bras
Intervention / Traitement
Expérimental: Scapulothoracic Stabilization
Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive standard Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT), including manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care, and therapeutic exercises, together with a structured scapulothoracic stabilization and postural training program. The additional exercise program is designed to improve scapular muscle function, postural alignment, and upper extremity function. Assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at a 2-month follow-up.
Standard Complex Decongestive Therapy consisting of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care, and therapeutic exercises. Treatment will be delivered according to established clinical guidelines and routine lymphedema rehabilitation protocols.
A supervised exercise program consisting of scapulothoracic stabilization exercises and postural training designed to improve scapular muscle strength, postural alignment, and upper extremity function. The program will be provided in addition to standard Complex Decongestive Therapy throughout the treatment period.
Comparateur actif: Control
Participants assigned to the control group will receive standard Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT), including manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care, and therapeutic exercises according to routine clinical practice. Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at a 2-month follow-up.
Standard Complex Decongestive Therapy consisting of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, skin care, and therapeutic exercises. Treatment will be delivered according to established clinical guidelines and routine lymphedema rehabilitation protocols.

Que mesure l'étude ?

Principaux critères de jugement

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Change in Upper Extremity Function
Délai: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment
Upper extremity function will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The DASH is a validated 30-item patient-reported outcome measure evaluating symptoms and functional limitations of the upper extremity. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability.
Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment
Change in Head Anterior Translation
Délai: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment
Head anterior translation will be assessed using the PostureScreen mobile application.
Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment
Change in Shoulder Height Asymmetry
Délai: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment.
Shoulder height asymmetry will be assessed using the PostureScreen mobile application.
Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment.
Change in Shoulder Anterior Translation
Délai: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment.
Shoulder anterior translation will be assessed using the PostureScreen mobile application.
Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment.

Mesures de résultats secondaires

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Change in Scapular Muscle Strength
Délai: Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment
Scapular muscle strength (upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles) will be measured using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET2) with the isometric make-test method.
Baseline, immediately after completion of treatment, and 2 months after treatment

Collaborateurs et enquêteurs

C'est ici que vous trouverez les personnes et les organisations impliquées dans cette étude.

Parrainer

Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Réel)

1 mars 2026

Achèvement primaire (Estimé)

1 mars 2027

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

1 mars 2027

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

6 juillet 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

10 juillet 2026

Première publication (Réel)

13 juillet 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

13 juillet 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

10 juillet 2026

Dernière vérification

1 juillet 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette étude

Autres numéros d'identification d'étude

  • 25.02.2026-1214/23

Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)

Prévoyez-vous de partager les données individuelles des participants (DPI) ?

NON

Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude

Étudie un produit pharmaceutique réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

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