Effectiveness of individualized physical rehabilitation programs for upper extremity disorders in women with post-mastectomy syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of individualized physical rehabilitation programs targeted at improving functional state of upper extremity in women with post-mastectomy syndrome. Method: Eighty five women with late symptoms of post-mastectomy syndrome were enrolled in the study. The participants were randomly enrolled for the first individualized program (Main Group, n=45) and for the second individualized program (Comparison Group, n=40). The first program included aqua aerobics (aqua jogging, aqua building, aqua stretching), conditional swimming, and recreational aerobics; the second program included conditional swimming and Pilates exercises. Results: It was found that most of the investigated anthropometry and goniometry parameters in both groups steadily improved during the year of rehabilitation. After 6 months of rehabilitation the average values of active range of flexion and abduction were statistically higher in women Main Group compared with Comparison Group by 10 degrees (p<0.001) and 6.43 degrees (p<0.01), respectively. The severity of lymphedema in the Main Group was significantly lower at the area of forearm by 0.39 cm (p<0.05) compared with Comparison Group. Conclusions: Findings have suggested that developed individualized physical rehabilitation programs could be considered as effective methods for improvement of the shoulder range of motion and decrease breast cancer-related lymphedema in patients with post-mastectomy syndrome. Keywords: Lymphedema, Range of motion, Breast cancer, Exercise. Efectividad de los programas de rehabilitación física individualizados para los trastornos de las extremidades superiores en mujeres con síndrome post-mastectomía RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la efectividad de los programas de rehabilitación física individualizados dirigidos a mejorar el estado funcional de la extremidad superior en mujeres con síndrome post-mastectomía. Método: Ochenta y cinco mujeres con síntomas tardíos de síndrome post-mastectomía participaron en el estudio. Los participantes se inscribieron aleatoriamente para el primer programa individualizado (Grupo Principal, n = 45) y para el segundo programa orientado a la personalidad (Grupo de Comparación, n = 40). El primer programa incluyó ejercicios acuáticos (carrera, pesas y estiramientos), natación condicional y ejercicio aeróbico recreativo; el segundo programa incluyó natación condicional y ejercicios de Pilates. Resultados: Se encontró que la mayoría de los parámetros de antropometría y goniometría investigados en ambos grupos mejoraron constantemente durante el año de rehabilitación. Después de 6 meses de rehabilitación, los valores promedio del rango activo de flexión y abducción fueron estadísticamente más altos en mujeres del Grupo Principal en comparación con las del Grupo de Comparación en 10 grados (p<0.001) y 6.43 grados (p<0.01), respectivamente. La gravedad del linfedema del Grupo Principal fue significativamente menor en el área del antebrazo en 0.39 cm (p <0.05) en comparación con la del Grupo de Comparación. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sufieren que los programas de rehabilitación física individualizados podrían considerarse como métodos efectivos para mejorar el rango de movimiento del hombro y disminuir el linfedema relacionado con el cáncer de mama en pacientes con síndrome postmastectomía. Palabras clave: Linfedema, Rango de movimiento, Cáncer de mama, Ejercicio.

Cardiopulmonary function in breast cancer patients versus healthy control women

“…A great deal of research [2-4, 23, 24] indicates that women who underwent breast surgery and adjuvant therapy are more likely to present a higher risk of cardiotoxicity, reduced peak oxygen consumption, and impaired cardiopulmonary parameters. The importance of the problem is underlined by the presence of numerous physical exercise interventions [8][9][10][11][25][26][27][28] for improving life quality and functional state of the cardiovascular system in breast cancer survivors.…”

Influence of a water physical rehabilitation program on the hemodynamic parameters in breast cancer survivors

“…A detailed analysis of literary sources [4,9,10,13,23,24], including randomized clinical trials, pilot-analysis, and metaanalysis, showed that women after breast cancer treatment experienced radiotherapy-and chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular system adverse events, fatigue, and cardiotoxicity. Some papers considered aerobic physical activity [26] and water physical therapy [20,27,28] for pain and lymphedema reduction in post-mastectomy women, but they did not examine the effect of water exercises on the improvement of hemodynamic parameters in breast cancer survivors.…”

The effect of hatha yoga on range of motion and strength in patients with breast cancer

“…Therapeutic benefits of yoga exercises have been used for reducing arm volume [9][10][11][12], anxiety, aggression and depression [13,14], and fatigue [15], as well as for improving range of motion [16], physical fitness [17], psychological health, and quality of life [18] in patients with breast cancer.…”