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Scapulothoracic Stabilization and Postural Training in Upper Extremity Lymphedema

10 juli 2026 bijgewerkt door: 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.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Werving

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

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.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

60

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Locaties

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen
  • Oudere volwassene

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Nee

Beschrijving

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.

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Enkel

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: 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.
Actieve vergelijker: 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.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change in Upper Extremity Function
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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.

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change in Scapular Muscle Strength
Tijdsspanne: 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

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

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Sponsor

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Werkelijk)

1 maart 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

1 maart 2027

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 maart 2027

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

6 juli 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

10 juli 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

13 juli 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

13 juli 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

10 juli 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juli 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • 25.02.2026-1214/23

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

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