An interventional study of Complex Decongestive Therapy and Trunk Focused exercises in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema, sponsored by Hacettepe University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 40 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-29.
Sponsored by Hacettepe University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
148 studies on the registry are indexed under Breast Cancer Lymphedema; 44 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 46 is close to the median of 50 across 119 interventional studies indexed under Breast Cancer Lymphedema.
Browse Breast Cancer Lymphedema studies →Hacettepe University is the lead sponsor of 983 studies on the registry; 212 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Trunk-focused exercise and kinesiology taping
Other: Complex Decongestive Therapy · Other: Trunk Focused exercises · Other: Kinesiology taping
Lower extremity exercises and plasebo taping
Other: Complex Decongestive Therapy · Other: Lower extremity exercises · Other: Placebo taping
Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and skin care, is considered the gold standard treatment for lymphedema.
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.
Kinesiology taping will be applied bilaterally to the scalene, trapezius, and paraspinal muscles using a muscle facilitation technique twice per week.
Lower extremity range of motion exercises will be performed three times per week, with 8-10 repetitions for each exercise.
Placebo kinesiology taping without tension will be applied to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions twice per week.
Mean of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain intensity scores
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).
Time frame: Change in mean cervical, thoracic, and lumbar pain intensity scores from baseline to the end of the third week.
Thoracic kyphosis angle
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
Time frame: Change in thoracic kyphosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Lumbar lordosis angle
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
Time frame: Change in lumbar lordosis angle from baseline to the end of the third week.
Pain pressure threshold
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.
Time frame: Change in pain pressure threshold from baseline to the end of the third week.
Patient assessment of Postural Awareness
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.
Time frame: Change in postural awareness from baseline to the end of the third week.
Upper extremity functionality
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
Time frame: Change in upper extremity functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Upper Limb Functionality
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.
Time frame: Change in functionality from baseline to the end of the third week.
Patient assessment of Quality of life
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.
Time frame: Change in quality of life from baseline to the end of the third week.
Plan to share: No
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Hacettepe University