Analysis of factors related to arm weakness in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema

Lee, Daegu; Hwang, Ji Hye; Chu, Inho; Chang, Hyun Ju; Shim, Young Hun; Kim, Jung Hyun

doi:10.1007/s00520-014-2584-6

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Although some studies reported that there was no difference between arms in patients with lymphedema [12], others claimed that this difference was significantly high [13, 14]. The decrease before treatment in the affected arm was attributed to the relatively lower use of that arm, pain after surgery, lymphedema, accompanying rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, neuromuscular disorders, or dermatitis [6, 22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It might be valuable to show a possible weakening of the muscles after CDT. Most of our patients were tentative about using their affected arm, and this situation usually results in muscle atrophy, weakness, and functional restrictions [6]. However, active resistive exercise was found not to increase the volume of the limb and resulted in a decrease of volume in the proximal arm in a study [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lymphedema prevalence is found to range from 6 to 30% in patients who undergo axillary dissection for breast cancer [4, 5]. Decreased use of the affected arm also results in atrophy, weakness, and declined function due to decreased use [6]. The prevalences for the restricted ROM, pain, and weakness are revealed as 1.5–50%, 12–51%, and 18–23%, respectively [7-10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Muscle Strength and Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

et al. 2020

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Introduction: To determine whether complete decongestive therapy (CDT) used in breast cancer-related lymphedema affects muscle strength in the affected arm while assessing the efficacy of the therapy itself. Material and Methods: Seventy-four patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema were included in this study. The demographic and clinical history characteristics of the patients were taken. The patients were then evaluated with measurements of extremity volumes and handgrip strengths using a hand dynamometer before and after the CDT. Data were then assessed using relevant statistical methods. Results: The mean CDT duration was 17.5 ± 8.93 days for the patients. Therapy resulted in significant improvement in the affected arm (p < 0.01). The difference between the arm with lymphedema and the other side was statistically significant, and this difference remained after the therapy (p < 0.01). The change in handgrip strength in the side with lymphedema was not found to be statistically significant after therapy (p > 0.05). Handgrip strength differences and volume differences before and after the treatment in the affected arm were not correlated (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Limbs affected with lymphedema were found to be weaker in handgrip strength and this weakness continued throughout the therapy. Strengthening exercises should be considered to be added into the treatment of patients undergoing CDT to gain better functional potential.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Muscle Strength and Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

et al. 2020

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“…Participants were asked about their ability to lift a shopping bag or suitcase in order to assess arm function; however, no relationship was detected between arm/hand swelling and upper limb function in older adults (12). Consistent with the previous studies including mixed-aged populations of breast cancer survivors, we used the DASH questionnaire to assess arm function (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)10,11,13). It has been suggested that DASH score increases an average of 0.3 points yearly in healthy patients, and an expected normative DASH score can be calculated using the following formula: [(0.29×age of subject)−4.46] in women (14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upper Extremity Function in Elderly Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Study

Özdemir¹,

Borman²,

Yaman³

2018

tjgeri

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Introduction: Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment with physical and pyschosocial consequences. The detrimental effects of lymphedema may become more disabiling in conjuction with the aging process. The aim of the study was to evaluate upper extremity function in elderly with breast cancer-related lymphedema and investigate the associations between upper limb function and demographic/clinical characteristics.Materials and Method: Eight-four women with a mean age of 65.1±5.0 years were enrolled in this study. Demograpic characteristics including age, body mass index, dominant hand, marital status, education level, and occupation were recorded. Cancer and lymphedemarelated clinical features were reviewed. The disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess upper extremity function.Results: The mean of patients' body mass index was 31.9±6.1 kg/cm 2 . The median duration of lymphedema was 8 months. Approximately 60% of patients had stage 2 lymphedema. The median value of interlimb volume difference was 558.5 ml. DASH score correlated only with body mass index, volume difference, and lymphedema stage. On regression analysis, the best predictors of upper extremity function in patients with lymphedema were found to be as body mass index and volume difference.Conclusion: The presence of breast cancer-related lymphedema negatively affects upper extremity function in elderly patients. The findings indicate that patients with higher body mass index and interlimb volume difference have more severe disability. Therefore, multimodal therapeutic interventions for reducing volume of the affected arm as well as body mass index could improve upper extremity function in older patients with lymphedema.Giriş: Lenfödem, meme kanseri sonrası sık görülen bir komplikasyon olup fiziksel ve psikososyal sonuçlara yol açmaktadır. Lenfödemin zararlı etkileri, yaşlanma süreci ile birlikte daha fazla disabilite gelişmesine neden olabilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, meme kanseri ile ilişkili lenfödemi olan yaşlılarda üst ekstremite fonksiyonları değerlendirmek ve üst ekstremite fonksiyonu ile demografik/klinik özellikler arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmaktır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya ortalama yaşları 65.1±5.0 yıl olan 84 kadın katıldı. Yaş, vücut kitle indeksi, dominant el, medeni hal, eğitim düzeyi ve meslekten oluşan demografik özellikler kaydedildi. Kanser ve lenfödem ile ilişkili klinik özellikler gözden geçirildi. Üst ekstremite fonksiyonunu değerlendirmek amacıyla Kol, Omuz ve El Sorunları (DASH) anketi kullanıldı.Bulgular: Hastaların ortalama vücut kitle indeksi 31.9±6.1 kg/cm 2 idi. Lenfödem süresinin medyan değeri 8 aydı. Hastaların yaklaşık %60'ı evre 2 lenfödeme sahipti. İki ekstremite arası hacim farkının medyan değeri 558.5 ml idi. DASH skoru ile sadece vücut kitle indeksi, hacim farkı ve lenfödem arasında korelasyon mevcuttu. Regresyon analizi sonucunda, lenfödemi olan hastalarda üst ekstremite fonksiyonunu en iyi tahmin eden değişkenlerin vücut kitle indeksi ve hacim farkı ...

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“…There are strong associations between shoulder movement deviations, muscle control, patient‐reported pain, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy . In one study, fear of lymphedema and disuse of the affected arm contributed significantly to a difference in muscle strength between the affected and unaffected shoulders of patients . Pain serves to increase muscle activation and is likely to limit movement .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in shoulder muscle activity pattern on surface electromyography after breast cancer surgery

Yang

Kwon

2017

Journal of Surgical Oncology

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Analysis of factors related to arm weakness in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema

Abstract: Appropriate physical and psychological interventions, including providing accurate information and reassurance of physical activity safety, are necessary to prevent arm weakness and physical dysfunction in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Cited by 23 publications

References 39 publications

Assessment of Muscle Strength and Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Assessment of Muscle Strength and Volume Changes in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Upper Extremity Function in Elderly Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Descriptive Study

Changes in shoulder muscle activity pattern on surface electromyography after breast cancer surgery

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