Prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema by progressive resistance training - a long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.
[PURPOSE] The risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) causes much concern in survivorship, and preventive interventions are lacking.
- 연구 설계 randomized controlled trial
APA
Ammitzbøll G, Lillegaard M, et al. (2026). Prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema by progressive resistance training - a long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-026-02006-4
MLA
Ammitzbøll G, et al.. "Prevention of breast cancer-related lymphedema by progressive resistance training - a long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.." Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026.
PMID
41954717
Abstract
[PURPOSE] The risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) causes much concern in survivorship, and preventive interventions are lacking. In a 3.5-year questionnaire follow-up after a randomized controlled trial, we examined prevention of BCRL by resistance training.
[METHODS] Patients with primary unilateral breast cancer (BC) were included at surgery, randomized to usual care control (CON) or resistance training intervention (INT) commencing 2-3 weeks after surgery. The intervention comprised 20 weeks of supervised progressive resistance training followed by 30 weeks of self-administered exercise. We assessed swelling of the arm/hand, axilla or breast/chest, pain and quality of life (QOL) at baseline, 20 weeks, 1 year and 3.5 years using validated scales in mailed questionnaires.
[RESULTS] Of the 158 women in the trial, 84 (53%) answered the questionnaire. At the 3.5-year follow-up, swelling was reported by 18 (62%) and 21 (39%) in the CON and INT group, respectively, yielding lower odds for the INT group (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09; 0.88). Effects on pain and QOL diminished over time.
[CONCLUSIONS] The long-term risk for self-reported BCRL was reduced for participants in early initiated resistance training compared to usual care control, for women with BC undergoing surgery, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. Limitations include a high attrition rate and studies with more complete follow-up and objective measurements are needed to confirm these results.
[IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS] Early progressive resistance training in early physical rehabilitation after BC is safe and may be a potential long-term prevention strategy for BCRL.
[METHODS] Patients with primary unilateral breast cancer (BC) were included at surgery, randomized to usual care control (CON) or resistance training intervention (INT) commencing 2-3 weeks after surgery. The intervention comprised 20 weeks of supervised progressive resistance training followed by 30 weeks of self-administered exercise. We assessed swelling of the arm/hand, axilla or breast/chest, pain and quality of life (QOL) at baseline, 20 weeks, 1 year and 3.5 years using validated scales in mailed questionnaires.
[RESULTS] Of the 158 women in the trial, 84 (53%) answered the questionnaire. At the 3.5-year follow-up, swelling was reported by 18 (62%) and 21 (39%) in the CON and INT group, respectively, yielding lower odds for the INT group (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09; 0.88). Effects on pain and QOL diminished over time.
[CONCLUSIONS] The long-term risk for self-reported BCRL was reduced for participants in early initiated resistance training compared to usual care control, for women with BC undergoing surgery, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. Limitations include a high attrition rate and studies with more complete follow-up and objective measurements are needed to confirm these results.
[IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS] Early progressive resistance training in early physical rehabilitation after BC is safe and may be a potential long-term prevention strategy for BCRL.