An interventional study of lymphedema treatment in Lymphedema, Lymphedema Arm and Mastectomy, sponsored by Halic University. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-05.
Sponsored by Halic University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized crossover clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Kinesio Taping and compression bandaging on upper extremity edema, shoulder range of motion, upper extremity function, pain, and grip strength in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
A total of 44 participants will receive both treatment approaches in different sequences. Each intervention period will last 4 weeks, with a 2-week washout period between treatments. Manual lymphatic drainage will be applied three times per week during the intervention periods. Assessments will be performed at baseline, week 4, and week 10.
This randomized crossover clinical trial was designed to compare the effects of Kinesio Taping and compression bandaging on upper extremity edema, shoulder range of motion, upper extremity function, pain, and grip strength in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
A total of 44 participants will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment sequences. In the first 4-week treatment period, one group will receive Kinesio Taping combined with manual lymphatic drainage, while the other group will receive compression bandaging combined with manual lymphatic drainage. Manual lymphatic drainage will be administered three times per week during the intervention periods.
After completion of the first 4-week treatment period, a 2-week washout period will be implemented. Following the washout period, participants will cross over to the alternative intervention for an additional 4 weeks. Participants who initially received Kinesio Taping will subsequently receive compression bandaging, whereas participants who initially received compression bandaging will subsequently receive Kinesio Taping.
Clinical assessments will be performed at baseline, at the end of the first treatment period (week 4), and at the end of the second treatment period (week 10). Upper extremity edema, shoulder range of motion, upper extremity function, pain, and grip strength will be evaluated at these time points.
The crossover design allows all participants to receive both therapeutic interventions and enables within-participant comparison of the effects of Kinesio Taping and compression bandaging. The 2-week washout period is included to reduce potential carryover effects from the first treatment period before initiation of the second intervention.
529 studies on the registry are indexed under Lymphedema; 131 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 44 is below the median of 50 across 369 interventional studies indexed under Lymphedema.
Browse Lymphedema studies →Halic University is the lead sponsor of 85 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
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.
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.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
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.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe out, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients with lymphedema who will receive kinesio taping treatment first, followed by compression bandaging.
Other: lymphedema treatment
Patients with lymphedema who will receive compression bandaging first, followed by kinesio taping treatment.
Other: lymphedema treatment
MLD will accompany both groups throughout the intervention periods. MLD sessions will be administered by a trained physiotherapist three times per week for a total duration of 4 weeks in each treatment period. Kinesio taping: This technique will be applied to the edematous extremity in accordance with lymphatic drainage directions, three times per week. The tapes will remain in place for 2-3 days at each application. Compression bandaging: Multi-layer, short-stretch compression bandages will be reapplied after each MLD session (three times per week). Due to the crossover design of the study, the applied interventions will be switched between groups after the initial 4-week treatment period. Prior to the second intervention phase, a 1-week washout period will be implemented to minimize potential carryover effects from the previous treatment. No treatment will be administered during this washout period.
Change in Upper Extremity Edema
Arm circumference measurement was used as an objective indicator of lymphedema severity. Circumferential measurements were obtained using a non-elastic tape measure at standardized anatomical landmarks along the upper extremity. Measurements were taken at fixed intervals (e.g., every 5 cm) starting from the wrist and progressing proximally toward the elbow and upper arm. Values were recorded in millimeters (mm), with higher circumference values indicating greater edema severity. There is no predefined upper limit for arm circumference; therefore, larger measurements reflect increased fluid accumulation, whereas smaller values indicate reduced edema. To quantify lymphedema, the difference in circumference between the affected and unaffected extremities was calculated at each measurement point. A greater inter-limb difference represents more severe lymphedema, while a reduction in this difference over time indicates clinical improvement.
Time frame: The assessment measurements will be conducted before the initiation of treatment, after 4 weeks, and at week 10.
Change in Pain Intensity
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 10-centimeter horizontal line used to assess pain intensity. Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
Time frame: The assessment measurements will be conducted before the initiation of treatment, after 4 weeks, and at week 10.
Change in Shoulder Range of Motion
Joint range of motion (ROM) was assessed to evaluate upper-extremity mobility in individuals with lymphedema. Active ROM measurements were obtained using a standard universal goniometer based on anatomical landmarks. Measurements were recorded in degrees (°) for wrist, elbow, forearm, and shoulder movements. Higher ROM values indicate greater joint mobility and better functional status, whereas lower values reflect movement limitation. As ROM does not have a single fixed maximum value, results were interpreted relative to anatomical normative values and the contralateral limb. A reduction of ≥10° compared with the unaffected side was considered a clinically meaningful limitation, while an increase toward normal values over time was interpreted as a positive treatment response. Each movement was measured three times, and the mean value was used for analysis. ROM assessments were performed at baseline and after each intervention period.
Time frame: The assessment measurements will be conducted before the initiation of treatment, after 4 weeks, and at week 10.
Change in Upper Extremity Function
Upper-extremity functioning was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Functioning Scale, a self-reported questionnaire designed to evaluate physical function and symptoms related to upper-limb disorders. The QuickDASH consists of 30 items, each scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (unable to perform or extreme difficulty). Item scores are combined and transformed into a total score ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 represents the most severe functional limitation. Higher scores therefore reflect worse upper-extremity functioning and greater disability. A decrease in QuickDASH score over time indicates functional improvement, whereas an increase reflects worsening functional status. The QuickDASH has no absolute clinical cut-off; however, changes of 10-15 points are generally considered clinically meaningful.
Time frame: The assessment measurements will be conducted before the initiation of treatment, after 4 weeks, and at week 10.
Change in Grip Strength
Grip strength was assessed using a Jamar hand dynamometer, a widely accepted and reliable instrument for measuring isometric hand grip strength in clinical and research settings. Measurements were recorded in kilograms (kg), with higher values indicating greater muscle strength and better functional capacity, and lower values reflecting reduced grip strength. Participants were seated in a standardized position with the shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, the elbow flexed at 90 degrees, the forearm in a neutral position, and the wrist positioned between 0-30° extension and 0-15° ulnar deviation. Participants were instructed to squeeze the dynamometer with maximal effort for a few seconds. Each hand was tested three times, with adequate rest between trials to minimize fatigue, and the mean value was used for analysis.
Time frame: The assessment measurements will be conducted before the initiation of treatment, after 4 weeks, and at week 10.
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Yes — All data obtained from the assessment scales used in the study will be shared; however, patients' personal information, including names, surnames, and contact details, will be kept confidential. These personal data will only be shared on an individual basis if specifically requested.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Informed consent form, Clinical study report
Started Feb 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 10 months after the start.
Of 175 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Lymphedema, half reached primary completion within 27 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 68. This study's planned 10 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 197 studies reached it within 25 months; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 64.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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