Effect of Upper Limb Posture on Limb Volume as Expressed in Circumference Measurement in Healthy Women and in Women With Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Lymphedema is one side effect of breast cancer treatment. Measuring the edematous limb enables monitoring changes in the lymphedema and the effect of treatment. Circumference measurement using a measuring tape is an inexpensive simple method and therefore useful and widespread in clinical practice. Circumference measurement performance varies amongst therapists and lacks uniformity in the literature. To date, the effect of different limb positions on measurement results has not been examined. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe 1) the effect of position on upper limb volume measurement by using circumference measurement and 2) to examine whether the difference between positions are similar in the upper limbs of the same woman, and 3) between groups of women who are in the intensive phase, in the maintenance phase of lymphedema treatment and women without lymphedema

Detailed Description
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Study design: Analytical cross section study Population: Inclusion criteria: 15 women who have completed breast cancer treatments, with a diagnosis of unilateral arm lymphedema, in the intensive phase of lymphedema treatment; 15 women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are in the maintenance phase of lymph edema treatment and 15 healthy women adjusted in age and BMI. Exclusion criteria: active cancer, cardiovascular disorder, wounds or inflammation in the measured upper limb, and illness with fever. Research tools: Questionnaire to gather personal details, information about the cancer and the lymphedema. Plastic, retractable measuring tape with an accuracy of 1 mm. Fixed points on the limb are measured according to anatomical landmarks and afterwards the limb volume is calculated using the formula for a truncated cone.

Official Title
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Effect of Upper Limb Posture on Limb Volume as Expressed in Circumference Measurement in Healthy Women and in Women With Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Conditions
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Breast Cancer, Lymphedema

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 15 women who have completed breast cancer treatments, with a diagnosis of unilateral arm lymphedema, in the intensive phase of lymphedema treatment; 15 women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are in the maintenance phase of lymph edema treatment and 15 healthy women adjusted in age and BMI. Exclusion Criteria: active cancer, cardiovascular disorder, wounds or inflammation in the measured upper limb, and illness with fever.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| women who have completed treatments<br>women who have completed breast cancer treatments, with a diagnosis of unilateral arm lymphedema, in the intensive phase of lymphedema treatment | Other: circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions.<br>* circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions, in 90 degrees forward flexion and depending position<br>|
| women who have completed treatment in maintenance phase<br>women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are in the maintenance phase of lymph edema treatment | Other: circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions.<br>* circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions, in 90 degrees forward flexion and depending position<br>|
| healthy women<br>healthy women adjusted in age and BMI | Other: circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions.<br>* circumferential measurements in different upper limb positions, in 90 degrees forward flexion and depending position<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Circumferential upper limb measurement |  | 3 hours for each subject |