Swimming for Post-Breast Cancer Surgery Complications
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Disqualifiers: Regular swimmer, Cannot swim, Others
No Placebo Group
Approved in 3 Jurisdictions
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Following surgery and treatment for breast cancer, many patients experience swelling of lymph nodes (lymphedema) or accumulation of fluid (seroma) that can cause pain, restrict movement, and reduce quality of life. Current treatments include massage, pressure dressings, and drainage, but these are often ineffective and do not last. Physical activity, in particular swimming, has been linked to improvement in lymphedema/seroma symptoms, but more research is required to determine whether or not this type of treatment is effective.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to consult with your doctor for guidance.
What data supports the idea that Swimming for Post-Breast Cancer Surgery Complications is an effective treatment?
The available research shows that swimming and aquatic therapy can be effective for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. One study found that aquatic exercises helped improve fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Another study compared aquatic and land exercises and found that both improved mental well-being, but swimming was particularly beneficial for those who continued long-term. Additionally, aqua therapy was shown to reduce arm swelling and improve shoulder movement in women with lymphedema, a common complication after breast cancer surgery. These findings suggest that swimming can be a helpful part of recovery and rehabilitation.
12345What safety data exists for swimming as a treatment for post-breast cancer surgery complications?
The research indicates that aquatic therapy, including swimming, is generally safe for breast cancer survivors. The study on long-term participation in water-exercising after breast cancer surgery found that 72% of participants continued exercising without complications. This suggests that swimming and other water-based exercises are safe and well-tolerated by breast cancer survivors.
13456Is swimming a promising treatment for complications after breast cancer surgery?
Yes, swimming is a promising treatment for complications after breast cancer surgery. It can help improve fatigue, pain, and quality of life. Swimming also supports mental well-being and encourages long-term exercise habits, thanks to its social and convenient nature.
13457Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adult female patients from the Ottawa Hospital who are post-operative from breast cancer surgery and under 3 years from completing treatment. They must have pain, seroma, or lymphedema symptoms and get approval to swim by their oncologists. It's not for those with medical issues making swimming unsafe, regular swimmers before diagnosis, or non-swimmers.Inclusion Criteria
I am a woman over 18 receiving care at the Ottawa Hospital.
Must have approval from their medical and radiation oncologist to participate in the study upon enrollment
I have had surgery for breast cancer, with or without lymph node removal and radiation.
+2 more
Exclusion Criteria
You regularly swam before being diagnosed with breast cancer.
You have health issues that make swimming unsafe for you.
I cannot swim.
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
2-4 weeks
Treatment
Participants in the experimental group will participate in an 8-week swimming program, involving three weekly swimming sessions of 30 minutes minimum. Control group participants will receive standard care recommendations.
8 weeks
3 visits (in-person) per week for the swimming group; monthly phone questionnaires for both groups
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with monthly phone questionnaires for 3 months post-intervention.
3 months
Monthly phone questionnaires
Long-term follow-up
Participants' pain levels are assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) after the swimming program, lasting approximately 14 months.
14 months
Participant Groups
The study investigates whether swimming can help alleviate chronic arm and chest pain, seroma, and lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. Participants will engage in a swimming program to assess its effectiveness compared to traditional treatments like massage or pressure dressings.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Experimental GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
In the experimental group, patients allocated to the swimming/experimental group will participate in 8 weeks of the swimming program, which involves three weekly swimming sessions of 30 minutes minimum. They will be asked to undergo a range of motion (ROM) assessment by a registered kinesiologist, as well as a few short questionnaires administered over the phone by a research assistant, once at the onset of the intervention and once a month for 3 months during the intervention.
Group II: Control GroupActive Control1 Intervention
The control group will include patients who receive standard of care. This includes the recommendation to undertake exercise and physiotherapy; however, no formal exercise program will be provided. In the control group, participants will be asked to answer a few short questionnaires administered over the phone by a research assistant once per month for 4 months.
Swimming is already approved in Canada, United States, European Union for the following indications:
🇨🇦 Approved in Canada as Breaststroke Swimming for:
- Lymphedema
- Seroma
- Chronic Arm and Chest Pain
🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Aquatic Therapy for:
- Lymphedema
- Seroma
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
🇪🇺 Approved in European Union as Water-Based Exercise for:
- Lymphedema
- Seroma
- Cancer-Related Fatigue
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Ottawa Hospital Research InstituteLead Sponsor
University of OttawaCollaborator
Bruyere Research InstituteCollaborator
References
Systematic review of aquatic therapeutic exercise efficacy in breast cancer survivors. [2022]The aim of this review is to establish the efficacy of aquatic therapeutic exercise in female breast cancer survivors for improving fatigue, pain, lymphedema, and quality of life.
Does the speed of aquatic therapy exercise alter arm volume in women with breast cancer related lymphoedema? A cross-over randomized controlled trial. [2020]To identify whether slow aquatic exercise in the form of modified Ai Chi is more effective than conventional (faster pace) aquatic therapy at reducing arm volume in women with or at risk of breast cancer related lymphoedema.
The effect of aquatic and land exercise on the mental well-being of women following breast cancer surgery-comparative study. [2023]Women after surgical treatment of breast cancer are less likely to engage in physical activity and may exhibit depressive symptoms even for many years post-treatment. The aim of the study was to compare the impact of 6 months aquatic and land exercise on mental well-being of women after breast cancer surgery.
Effect of Aqua Therapy Exercises on Postmastectomy Lymphedema: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]To investigate the effect of aqua therapy resistance exercise on arm volume, pain, and shoulder range of movements in post-mastectomy lymphedema.
Participation in water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery: Experiences of significant factors for continuing exercising as a part of cancer rehabilitation. [2018]Although physical exercising has great benefits, little is known regarding factors of significance for cancer survivors to continue exercising within their rehabilitation. The objective was to describe factors experienced to be of significance for cancer survivors to continue with water-exercising long-term after breast cancer surgery. Women (n = 29) who had undergone breast cancer surgery (mastectomy 79%, axillary surgery 86%, and radiotherapy 86%) for median (md) 13 (25th-75th percentile 3-21.5) was followed up regarding their rehabilitation, arm function Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (md 14, IQR 7-32), EQ-5D score (md 0.8, IQR 0.73-1.0) and quality of life EQ health barometer (md 80, IQR 64-95). We performed qualitative focus-group interviews regarding the women's views (n = 24). The women had participated in water-exercising 1-46 semesters, md 8 (25th-75th percentile 3-21.5) semesters. Nearly all, 97%, participated in the water-exercising group every week, and 21 (72%) had participated in the water-exercising group at least half of the time since their breast cancer surgery, without complications. The women experienced that factors of significance to continue with water-exercising were the convenience of easily modified weightless exercising in the water, social interaction, and access to a private dressing room. These factors would be important to consider to encourage continuing in exercising.
Adapted physical activity for breast cancer patients: shared considerations with two Olympic and world Italian sports champions. [2022]Breast cancer is a growing global public health concern. Thanks to the recent treatments progress, the survival rate of BC patients has significantly improved (88% of 5-year survival rate) and the number of cancer survivors has also increased. Notwithstanding these brilliant results, many BC patients have long-term side effects as pain, oedema, limited mobility, cancer related fatigue, etc. as a consequence of surgical, radiotherapy and medical treatments. For example, posture appears to be frequently altered after mastectomy, due to the impairment of the mobility of the arm caused by surgical scars. All these aspects negatively affect the health-related Quality of Life (QoL) of BC patients. Recent several randomized clinical trials have shown benefits of regular and appropriate physical activity (PA) during and after BC treatment, particularly in terms of benefits for health, reducing fatigue, improving strength levels, QoL and physical function. In this context, two types of sports have demonstrated their affinity and efficacy as treatment support during and after treatments for BC patients: fencing and rowing. Here we report considerations shared with two sport champions: the fencing Olympic gold medal Daniele Garozzo and the rowing World Champion Giovanni Ficarra, with the aim to find the adapted PA for BC patients.
[Fencing for promoting health after breast cancer]. [2018]Physical activity is recommended after breast cancer surgery. Fencing is a sport that is well suited to combatting fatigue, pain and reduced arm mobility. A healthcare executive, herself a fencer, puts the benefits of this sport into perspective, both physically and psychologically.