Breathing technique may enhance lymphedema therapy in breast cancer survivors

NCT ID NCT07676045

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study investigates whether adding diaphragmatic breathing exercises to standard manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy reduces arm swelling and pain better than MLD alone in women who developed lymphedema after a radical mastectomy. Participants are female breast cancer survivors aged 18 to 65 with stage I or II lymphedema. The trial measures changes in arm circumference, shoulder movement, pain levels, and daily function over four weeks of treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Manual lymphatic drainage and diaphragmatic breathing exercises

What this could lead to

If effective, this combination therapy could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce lymphedema swelling and improve arm function after breast cancer surgery.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial with 58 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefits of adding breathing exercises may be modest or not clinically significant.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Breast Cancer Lymphedema lymphedema

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Femwell Physiotherapy Clinic

    Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan