Shoulder Mobility, Muscular Strength, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors with and without Tai Chi Qigong Training

Abstract

Objectives. To compare the shoulder mobility, muscular strength, and quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer survivors with and without Tai Chi (TC) Qigong training to those of healthy individuals and to explore the associations between shoulder impairments and QOL in breast cancer survivors with regular TC Qigong training. Methods. Eleven breast cancer survivors with regular TC Qigong training, 12 sedentary breast cancer survivors, and 16 healthy participants completed the study. Shoulder mobility and rotator muscle strength were assessed by goniometry and isokinetic dynamometer, respectively. QOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire. Results. Goniometric measurements of the active range of motion in the flexion, abduction, and hand-behind-the-back directions were similar among the three groups. The TC Qigong-trained breast cancer survivors had significantly higher isokinetic peak torques of the shoulder rotator muscles (at 180°/s) than untrained survivors, and their isokinetic shoulder muscular strength reached the level of healthy individuals. Greater shoulder muscular strength was significantly associated with better functional wellbeing in breast cancer survivors with TC Qigong training. However, no significant between-group difference was found in FACT-B total scores. Conclusions. TC Qigong training might improve shoulder muscular strength and functional wellbeing in breast cancer survivors.

Resistance training improves fatigue and quality of life in previously sedentary breast cancer survivors: a randomised controlled trial

“…Earlier research indicated that breast cancer survivors are often limited in lifting, carrying and reaching (Karki et al 2005), and that these impairments in activities of daily living may have an impact on QOL. Supporting this notion is research showing that greater shoulder muscle strength is significantly associated with increased functional well-being in breast cancer survivors (Fong et al 2013). At baseline, our group of women were on average 4.3% weaker in their treated limb.…”

“…Supporting this notion is research showing that greater shoulder muscle strength is significantly associated with increased functional well‐being in breast cancer survivors (Fong et al . ). At baseline, our group of women were on average 4.3% weaker in their treated limb.…”

Cancer survivors exhibit a different relationship between muscle strength and health-related quality of life/fatigue compared to healthy subjects

“…Three previous studies have investigated the differences in muscle strength between these two groups (Fong et al, 2013;Gomes et al, 2014;Yee et al, 2014). Three previous studies have investigated the differences in muscle strength between these two groups (Fong et al, 2013;Gomes et al, 2014;Yee et al, 2014).…”

Muscle strength in breast cancer patients receiving different treatment regimes

“…However, most published studies in the field assessed strength performance via handgrip or handheld dynamometry, with functional tests or by using the one repetition maximum method . There are also studies using isokinetic testing procedures, but these studies had low sample sizes, and focused on other research questions …”