An interventional study of Extracorporeal shock wave therapy and Pulse electromagnetic field therapy in Lymphedema, sponsored by Zheng-Yu Hoe, MD., PhD.. Recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 80 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-31.
Sponsored by Zheng-Yu Hoe, MD., PhD. · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Lymphedema occurs not only in patients with breast cancer and gynecological cancers but also in those where lymphatic drainage is obstructed. Accumulation of lymphatic fluid within tissues results in limb swelling. Additionally, proteins present in lymphatic fluid might lead to fibrosis within tissues, causing various challenges for patients. The changes in volume and weight can significantly impact daily life activities such as eating, brushing teeth, and other routine tasks. Furthermore, it can lead to clothing difficulties and provoke unwanted attention due to aesthetic concerns.
Currently, there is no definitive treatment for lymphedema. However, prospective research has shown promising results in applying extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), originally used for musculoskeletal disorders like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, and non-union fractures, to lymphedema patients. Similarly, Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT), widely used for pain management and muscle strengthening, has the potential for treating lymphedema as it can enhance blood circulation and stimulate muscle contractions.
This research project aims to explore the effectiveness and sustainability of using ESWT and PEMFT for lymphedema patients. By applying these therapies to lymphedema patients, this study aims to evaluate their treatment outcomes and long-term effects.
There is currently no cure for lymphedema. Literature review revealed extracorporeal shock wave therapy (previously applied to soft tissue diseases such as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulders, and poor fracture healing) showed positive therapeutic effect for patients with lymphedema.
Another widely used therapy for pain treatment and muscle strengthening is Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMFT), which has the potential to be used in the treatment of lymphedema due to its ability to increase blood circulation and stimulate muscle contractions.
This study design to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on patients with lymphedema, and further explore its therapeutic effect.
529 studies on the registry are indexed under Lymphedema; 131 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 90 is above the median of 50 across 369 interventional studies indexed under Lymphedema.
Browse Lymphedema studies →This is the only study on the registry with Zheng-Yu Hoe, MD., PhD. as lead sponsor.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Conducting a general rehabilitation program for lymphedema, three times a week, continuing until the end of the experiment.
Other: Rehabilitation
Participants are randomly assigned to receive either shockwave therapy or electromagnetic pulse therapy. Once assigned, the treatment method is fixed and continues for 12 weeks. From week 1 to week 12, participants receive either extracorporeal shockwave therapy or electromagnetic pulse therapy three times a week, totaling 36 sessions. After the completion of the 12-week treatment, the general rehabilitation program for lymphedema continues, conducted three times a week.
Device: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Participants are randomly assigned to receive either shockwave therapy or electromagnetic pulse therapy. Once assigned, the treatment method is fixed and continues for 12 weeks. From week 1 to week 12, participants receive either extracorporeal shockwave therapy or electromagnetic pulse therapy three times a week, totaling 36 sessions. After the completion of the 12-week treatment, the general rehabilitation program for lymphedema continues, conducted three times a week.
Device: Pulse electromagnetic field therapy
2 times/week for 12 weeks
2 times/week for 12 weeks
2 times/week for 12 weeks
circumference
Limb circumference
Time frame: every 1 week, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Thickness
thickness of skin and Subcutaneous tissue
Time frame: every 1 week, through study completion, an average of 1 year
Hardness
Hardness by shearwave elastography
Time frame: every 1 week, through study completion, an average of 1 year
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