ScarWork to treat long-term breast pain after surgery
A Feasibility Trial of ScarWork on Post-breast Surgery Pain Syndrome (PBSPS) in Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients.
NA · University College London Hospitals · NCT07206394
This trial will try ScarWork, a gentle manual scar therapy, to see if it reduces persistent breast pain in adults treated for early-stage breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University College London Hospitals (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (London) |
| Trial ID | NCT07206394 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-site feasibility interventional study offering ScarWork, a light-touch manual therapy directed at scar tissue, to people with ongoing breast pain after surgery and radiotherapy. Eligible participants are adults in remission from early-stage breast cancer who completed radiotherapy at least six months earlier and report pain of 3 or higher on a 0–10 scale. Participants will attend regular ScarWork treatment sessions at the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, and researchers will collect measures of pain, scar mobility, function, and feasibility outcomes such as recruitment and adherence. Key exclusions include prior ScarWork, wound complications, lymphoedema, active physiotherapy for the condition, or severe co-morbidities.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) treated with curative breast surgery and radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, in remission, with pain ≥3/10 and able to attend regular visits in London.
Not a fit: Patients with post-surgical wound complications, unrelated prior breast surgery, lymphoedema, prior ScarWork, severe medical or cognitive comorbidity, or those already receiving physiotherapy for this pain are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ScarWork could reduce persistent breast pain and improve scar mobility and quality of life for survivors.
How similar studies have performed: ScarWork has been used clinically since around 2014 but formal controlled trials are scarce, so high-quality evidence of benefit is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Over the age of 18 * Early breast cancer patients who have had breast surgery with curative intent * Radiotherapy completed ≥ 6 months previously * In remission with no sign of active local disease * Registering a score of ≥3 on perceived pain intensity or pain burden on a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS) * English speaking and able to communicate reasonably well * Able to give informed consent * Willing to attend for regular treatment at RLHIM Exclusion Criteria: * History of post-breast surgery wound complications * History of breast surgery unrelated to breast cancer treatment * History of previous ScarWork therapy * Diagnosis of lymphoedema * Severe co-morbidities or cognitive disability * Receiving physiotherapy for post-breast surgery pain syndrome at the time of trial
Where this trial is running
London
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine — London, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Breast Cancer Early Stage Breast Cancer, breast cancer, ScarWork, feasibility study