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New exercise combo shows promise for lymphedema after breast cancer

NCT ID NCT02992782

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Alberta Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
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Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
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Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
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Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
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First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tested whether a 12-week program of special exercises combined with advanced compression garments could reduce arm swelling in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Sixty women with mild to moderate chronic lymphedema were enrolled. The goal was to see if the approach is practical and helps manage swelling.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
decongestive progressive resistance exercise with advanced compression (flat-knit garment or adjustable wrap)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a safe, drug-free way to manage lymphedema and improve arm function in breast cancer survivors.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study (60 people) with no control group for comparison. Results may not apply to all patients, and the benefit may be modest or temporary.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

60 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jun 2017

Finished

Aug 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Is a female with a history of breast cancer; 2. Has undergone surgery, including sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection; 3. Has unilateral mild to moderate lymphedema of at least 200 ml or 10% inter-limb volume difference or a maximum of 40% and/or minimal volume difference of 100 ml or 5% in hand and forearm region; 4. Has chronic lymphedema, defined as lymphedema that has been present for at least 3 months; 5. Is in the lymphedema maintenance phase of conservative treatment; 6. Uses a well fitted compression sleeve (not older than 1 month) and is agreeable to wear the sleeve for a minimum of 12 hours per day (providing a minimum of 30 mm Hg of pressure); 7. Is agreeable to discontinuing other lymphedema treatments, including manual lymph drainage and intermittent pneumatic compression during the supervised intervention period of the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Are undergoing or are scheduled for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological therapy; 2. Present with limb infection, deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, or have active metastatic disease; 3. Have any neurological, cognitive deficit or other uncontrolled health condition that may interfere with assessment and/or the progressive resistance exercise training intervention; 4. Have any contraindications related to wearing compression on the limb, including arterial insufficiency or congestive heart failure; 5. Have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m2.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast neoplasm lymphedema

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Breast neoplasm Lymphedema

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Alberta/ Cross Cancer Institute

    Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4, Canada

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