Assessing Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity in Breast Cancer Survivors

Comparison Of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity Of Breast Cancer Patients With Healthy Individuals

This study tests how well breast cancer survivors can use their arms compared to healthy people to see how treatment has affected their physical abilities.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Ankara, State)
• Trial ID: NCT06859593 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study evaluates the upper extremity exercise capacity of breast cancer survivors compared to healthy controls. It focuses on the physical complications that arise after breast cancer treatment, such as lymphedema and upper extremity dysfunction. Participants will undergo the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test to assess their unsupported arm endurance. The study aims to understand the impact of breast cancer treatment on physical function and identify potential areas for rehabilitation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include breast cancer survivors aged 18-65 who are at least 15 months post-surgery and six months post-active treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with active infections or significant musculoskeletal or neurological diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for breast cancer survivors, enhancing their physical function and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored exercise capacity in cancer survivors, this specific approach focusing on upper extremity function in breast cancer survivors is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Breast Cancer Group:

1. Being between 18-65 years of age,
2. Volunteering to participate in the research,
3. Stage I-III breast cancer,
4. At least 15 months after breast cancer surgery,
5. Six months after active breast cancer treatment (i.e. surgery/chemotherapy),
6. No problems in reading and/or understanding the scales and being able to cooperate with the tests,

Healthy group:

1. Age between 18-65 years,
2. Volunteering to participate in the research,
3. No problems in reading and/or understanding the scales and being able to cooperate with the tests.

Exclusion Criteria:

Breast Cancer Group:

1. Presence of active infection,
2. Musculoskeletal and neurological diseases that may affect exercise performance, symptomatic heart disease,
3. Having a neurological disease or other clinical diagnosis that may affect cognitive status.

Healthy group:

1. Having any orthopedic or neuromuscular condition that would interfere with walking or exercise performance,
2. Having any chronic disease or psychiatric disorders or mental impairments that may interfere with cooperation or compliance with exercise tests

Where this trial is running

Ankara, State

• Hcettepe University, Ankara, State 06100 — Ankara, State, Turkey (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ebru Calik Kutukcu, PhD

Conditions Breast Cancer Survivor; Healty Controls; breast cancer; upper extremity; 6-minute pegboard and ring test; exercise capacity