Post-operative exercise program after DIEP flap breast reconstruction

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study enrolls women undergoing mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction to receive a structured, 12-week post-operative exercise program. The trial will measure patient-reported outcomes and functional performance, along with body composition, strength, recovery, complications, hospital stay, and time to return to daily activities. Secondary aims include effects on psychological health, body image, adherence, safety, and an exploratory health-economic analysis comparing costs and potential savings with standard care. The study is led by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre as the site, focusing on feasibility and potential benefits of integrating exercise into post-reconstruction care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women aged 18 years and older
2. Candidates who have already been selected to undergo mastectomy and reconstruction by the breast MDT for the following indications:

   1. Genetic mutation carriers undergoing risk-reducing mastectomy.
   2. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) requiring mastectomy.
   3. Early invasive breast cancer requiring mastectomy.
   4. The tumour must not have skin involvement and no evidence of invasive disease within 1cm of skin, nipple or pectoralis major muscle (as proven on MRI).
3. Candidates for breast reconstruction with DIEP.
4. Fluent in English
5. Fit for general anaesthetic Signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Advanced breast cancer with skin involvement.
2. Undergoing bilateral DIEP reconstruction or other forms of breast reconstruction (e.g., TRAM, implant-based, LD flap).
3. Pregnancy
4. Lactation Patients with insufficient English to sign an informed consent (i.e. interpreter required).

Where it's running

• Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre
  Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Arnold Hill, MB, BCh, BAO, MCh, FRCSI
• Email: adkhill@rcsi.com
• Phone: +35318093000

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Gyrotonic exercise for elders with breast cancer and Behcet disease

  We’re testing whether a gyrotonic exercise program helps older people who have both Behcet disease and breast cancer.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Giza, Dokki · NCT07929116

• PECS II vs SPSIP nerve blocks for pain after mastectomy

  This study tests whether two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (PECS II and SPSIP) differ in how much opioid patients need after mastectomy.

  Recruiting Bursa City Hospital · Nilufer, Bursa · NCT07929090

• CG-7321: a first-in-human test in advanced solid tumors

  We’re testing CG-7321 alone and with fulvestrant to see if it’s safe and tolerable in adults with advanced solid tumors.

  Recruiting at 4 sites Phase 1 Chengdu Cynogen Bio-pharmaceutical Tech. Co., Ltd. · Fuzhou, Fujian and 3 other locations · NCT07923214

• Compare a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery with the usual approach

  This study tests whether a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving technique can provide similar or better cosmetic outcomes and safety compared with conventional breast-conserving surgery in women with early breast cancer who want to preserve their breast.

  Recruiting Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital · Hangzhou, Zhejiang and 21 other locations · NCT07920094

• Different skin care approaches to prevent skin reactions after mastectomy radiation

  This study tests three standard skin care methods to see which best prevents radiation dermatitis in people who had a mastectomy and are receiving post-mastectomy radiation therapy.

  Recruiting at 7 sites Phase 2 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations · NCT07918989

• 3D Heart Strain to Detect Early Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Therapy

  This study tests whether 3D echocardiography can detect early heart damage from cancer treatments like anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy better than standard 2D methods.

  Recruiting Region Skane · Lund, Skåne County · NCT07916337

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.