Background
Method
Study setting/design
Study oversight
Eligibility criteria
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▪ women who have completed breast cancer treatment for more than 1 year;
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▪ no evidence of recurrence;
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▪ unilateral lymphedema resulting from surgery for breast cancer;
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▪ age between 20 and 45;
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▪ BMI between 18 and 25;
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▪ mild to moderate lymphedema (10% to 40% increase in volume compared to the unaffected arm).
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Patients will be excluded as follows:
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▪ bilateral lymphedema;
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▪ current use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
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▪ history of bilateral axillary lymph node dissection;
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▪ serious lymphedema, >40% increase in volume compared to the unaffected arm;
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▪ pregnant women or overweight women;
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▪ unable to adhere to the protocol or the treatment schedule;
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▪ recurrent breast cancer or evidence of other active cancer;
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▪ current use of diuretics like Diosmin, or other investigational drugs;
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▪ contraindications for acupuncture, such as infections, open wounds, or broken skin.
Forbidden drugs and concomitant treatments
Recruitment of participants
Randomization and allocation
Blinding
Intervention
Real acupuncture group
Sham-acupuncture group
Decongestive therapy
Standard decongestive therapy | Duration | Frequency | Location | Record | Note |
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Manual Lymph Drainage | 30 min | Daily | Hospital | Massage Therapist | Meticulous records are needed otherwise. |
Applying Moisturizer | 3 times | Daily | Home | Participant | |
Gentle Exercise | 2 h | Daily | Home | Participant | |
Wearing Compression Garment | 3 h | Daily | Home | Participant |