Revitalizing Post-Mastectomy Lives: Unveiling the Impact of Aerobic and Mobility with Strengthening Exercises in Improving Shoulder Pain, ROM, and Strength
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women globally, with Pakistan having one of the highest incidence rates in Asia. Post-mastectomy patients often suffer from shoulder pain, reduced range of motion (ROM), and muscle weakness, impacting their quality of life. This study investigates the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise regimen in alleviating these symptoms.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of aerobic, mobility, and strengthening exercises on shoulder pain, ROM, and muscle strength in post-mastectomy patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods: A six-month case-control study was conducted with 60 participants, aged 25-65, who had undergone radical mastectomy and were in the chemotherapy phase. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the case group (n=30), which underwent an eight-week program of aerobic, mobility, and strengthening exercises, and the control group (n=30), which performed only aerobic exercises. Data collection tools included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, a Goniometer for ROM measurement, and Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for muscle strength evaluation. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25, with paired and independent t-tests applied to compare pre- and post-intervention scores.
Results: The case group showed a significant reduction in VAS scores (mean difference = 2.93333, p<0.001) compared to the control group (mean difference = 0.40000, p=0.028). MMT results indicated significant improvements in muscle strength for the right deltoid (mean difference = -0.40000, p=0.009) and left pectoralis major (mean difference = -0.73333, p<0.001) in the case group. ROM improvements were significant for right shoulder extension (mean difference = -0.80000, p<0.001) and left shoulder external rotation (mean difference = -1.73333, p<0.001) in the case group.
Conclusion: A comprehensive exercise regimen, including aerobic, mobility, and strengthening exercises, significantly improved shoulder pain, ROM, and muscle strength in post-mastectomy patients. These findings support the integration of multifactorial physiotherapy into rehabilitation protocols for breast cancer survivors to enhance their long-term health and quality of life.
Keywords: Breast cancer, mastectomy, shoulder pain, range of motion, muscle strength, aerobic exercises, mobility exercises, strengthening exercises, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, post-mastectomy recovery.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Mehta JN, Vaghela NP, Patel H. The effect of physiotherapy in patients with modified radical mastectomy. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2018;8(2):163-6.
Girish C, Vijayalakshmi P, Mentham R, Rao CB, Nama S. A review on breast cancer. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences. 2014;4(2):47-54.
Bellah SF, Salam MA, Karim MR, Hossain MJ, Ashrafudoulla M. Epidemiology of breast cancer among the female patients in Bangladesh. Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine. 2016;16:85-95.
Kim Y, Yoo K-Y, Goodman MT. Differences in incidence, mortality and survival of breast cancer by regions and countries in Asia and contributing factors. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2015;16(7):2857-70.
Asif HM, Sultana S, Akhtar N, Rehman JU, Rehman RU. Prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention. 2014;15(11):4411-6.
Youn HJ, Han W. A review of the epidemiology of breast cancer in Asia: focus on risk factors. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP. 2020;21(4):867.
Sharma GN, Dave R, Sanadya J, Sharma P, Sharma K. Various types and management of breast cancer: an overview. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research. 2010;1(2):109-26.
Shah R, Rosso K, Nathanson SD. Pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. World journal of clinical oncology. 2014;5(3):283.
Giacalone A, Alessandria P, Ruberti E. The physiotherapy intervention for shoulder pain in patients treated for breast cancer: systematic review. Cureus. 2019;11(12).
Apantaku S, Sodiya C, Apantaku F, Fakoya E. Alternative internal sources of funds for extension service in Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 2000;17(1):37-54.
Bevers TB, Anderson BO, Bonaccio E, Buys S, Daly MB, Dempsey PJ, et al. Breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. 2009;7(10):1060-96.
Trayes KP, Cokenakes SE. Breast cancer treatment. American family physician. 2021;104(2):171-8.
Wang T-C, Chang P-H, Chen WH, Hung C-C, Chen J-P, Lin Y-C, et al., editors. The Effectiveness of an Upper Limb Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients after Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Seminars in Oncology Nursing; 2023: Elsevier.
Tatham B, Smith J, Cheifetz O, Gillespie J, Snowden K, Temesy J, et al. The efficacy of exercise therapy in reducing shoulder pain related to breast cancer: a systematic review. Physiotherapy Canada. 2013;65(4):321-30.
Ribeiro IL, Camargo PR, Alburquerque-Sendin F, Ferrari AV, Arrais CL, Salvini TF. Three-dimensional scapular kinematics, shoulder outcome measures and quality of life following treatment for breast cancer–A case control study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2019;40:72-9.
Majed M, Youssef SM, Takey KA, Badr LK. The impact of therapeutic exercises on the quality of life and shoulder range of motion in women after a mastectomy, an RCT. Journal of Cancer Education. 2020:1-9.
Rao MS, Pattanshetty RB. Effect of myofascial release, stretching, and strengthening on upper torso posture, spinal curvatures, range of motion, strength, shoulder pain and disability, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Physiotherapy Research International. 2022;27(2):e1939.
Rosebrock K, Sinn M, Uzunoglu FG, Bokemeyer C, Jensen W, Salchow J. Effects of Exercise Training on Patient-Specific Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review. Cancers. 2023;15(24):5899.