Effectiveness of myofascial release after breast cancer surgery in women undergoing conservative surgery and radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial

Effect of Myofascial Therapy on Pain and Functionality of the Upper Extremities in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Eight RCTs were included, with a total of 333 participants [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. The study developed by Fernández-Lao et al, divided into two publications [ 40 , 41 ] contained the smallest sample-size, with 20 participants; whereas the one with the largest sample size was the study by Groef et al [ 42 ] with 147 participants.…”

“…Regarding the location where the studies took place, three were performed in Spain [ 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 ], three in Belgium [ 42 , 45 , 46 ] and another in the Midwestern United States [ 46 ]. All of the studies reported the place of recruitment and methods used.…”

“…No distinction or mention of race is made in any study. The age of the patients was detailed in all of the studies, ranging from 21–65 years old [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. In addition, the stage of patients’ cancer was considered as inclusion criteria by Fernández-Lao et al, and was their study was carried out on subjects with cancer in stages I-IIIA [ 40 , 41 ].…”

“…In addition, the stage of patients’ cancer was considered as inclusion criteria by Fernández-Lao et al, and was their study was carried out on subjects with cancer in stages I-IIIA [ 40 , 41 ]. Only the study by Serra-Añó et al [ 44 ] considered the type of surgery the patients had undergone (only conservative/partial) when choosing study participants.…”

“…The types of myofascial interventions used, although all of them were manual interventions, varied among the studies. A myofascial induction protocol centered on the neck and shoulder following the Barnes approach [ 40 , 41 ], trigger point treatments on upper limbs and adhesions in the pectoral muscle, cervical region, diaphragm, and scars [ 42 , 45 , 46 ], myofascial massage specific to the chest, thorax, and shoulder of the affected side [ 46 ], and myofascial release [ 43 , 44 ] were all used.…”