Advancing Patient Care for Lymphatic Pain and Lymphedema
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Summary
Lymphatic pain refers to various pain sensations (e.g., pain, aching, soreness, tenderness, burning, stabbing) following breast cancer treatment. Lymphatic pain affects more than half of 4 million patients treated for breast cancer in the United States. Lymphatic pain significantly impairs patients' daily living function, increases psychological distress, and decreases quality of life. As a significant risk of lymphedema, lymphatic pain indicates an early stage of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a chronic and incurable swelling caused by an abnormal fluid build-up following breast cancer treatment. Without timely intervention in this early stage, lymphedema can progress into a chronic condition that no surgical or medical interventions can cure. The purpose of the project is to adapt The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow (TOLF) in clinical practice. A digital lymphatic pain and lymphedema assessment will be implemented in clinical practice, conduct clinician training and deliver TOLF Self-Care interventions to patients with lymphatic pain.
Description
Patients with financial hardship are 4.64 times more likely to report lymphatic pain. Further, obesity/high body mass index is an important risk factors for lymphatic pain and lymphedema. Effective management of lymphatic pain can decrease the risk of lymphedema and reverse mild lymphedema as well as improve daily living functions, psychological distress, and quality of life. The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow (TOLF) is a non-pharmacological and digital behavioral intervention that builds patients' self-care skills to promote lymph flow and result in complete pain reduction, reduced lymph fluid level, rev…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–89 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria for patient participants are a) Patients over age 18 who received surgical treatment for breast cancer at least 3 months prior to the study enrollment; b) Patients reported lymphatic pain; c) Patients who are able to understand the study protocols presented in English language. Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria include a) presence of a serious psychiatric condition (e.g., schizophrenia, suicidal intent) indicated by medical chart, treating oncologist or other staff, or study staff interactions that would contraindicate safe study participation; b)…
Interventions
- BehavioralThe-Optimal-Lymph-Flow
The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow (TOLF Self-Care) is a non-pharmacological and digital behavioral intervention that builds patients' self-care skills to promote lymph flow that leads to complete pain reduction, reduced lymph fluid level, reversed mild lymphedema, and improved quality of life.
Location
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri