The efficacy of physiotherapy upon shoulder function following axillary dissection in breast cancer

Information about conventional breast cancer treatments - inc surgery, chemo, rads, hormonal, reconstruction, lymphedema, side effects
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Ruth
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Postby Ruth » Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:58 pm

Interesting reading Janine, thank you for posting it. Quite logical when you think about it.

Haven't had the shoulder pain thank goodness, just gets stiff. Note to self - remember arm exercises...... :ouch:
Ruth :kiwi:

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The efficacy of physiotherapy upon shoulder function following axillary dissection in breast cancer

Postby Janine » Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:50 pm

[Only a small study but I found it interesting. By the time I had physio, I had a frozen shoulder.]

The efficacy of physiotherapy upon shoulder function following axillary dissection in breast cancer, a randomized controlled study

BMC Cancer 2007, 7:166 doi:10.1186/1471-2407-7-166
Carien H.G. Beurskens, Caro J.T. van Uden, Luc J.A. Strobbe, Rob A.B. Oostendorp


Background
Many patients suffer from severe shoulder complaints after breast cancer surgery and axillary
lymph node dissection. Physiotherapy has been clinically observed to improve treatment of
these patients. However, it is not a standard treatment regime. The purpose of this study is to
investigate the efficacy of physiotherapy treatment of shoulder function, pain and quality of
life in patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection.
Methods
Thirty patients following breast cancer surgery and axillary lymph node dissection were
included in a randomised controlled study. Assessments were made at baseline and after three
and six months. The treatment group received standardised physiotherapy treatment of advice
and exercises for the arm and shoulder for three months; the control group received a leaflet
containing advice and exercises. If necessary soft tissue massage to the surgical scar was
applied. Primary outcome variables were amount of pain in the shoulder/arm recorded on the
Visual Analogue Scale, and shoulder mobility (flexion, abduction) measured using a digital
inclinometer under standardized conditions.
Secondary outcome measures were shoulder disabilities during daily activities, edema, grip
strength of both hands and quality of life. The researcher was blinded to treatment allocation.
Results
All thirty patients completed the trial. After three and six months the treatment group showed
a significant improvement in shoulder mobility and had significantly less pain than the control
group. Quality of life improved significantly, however, handgrip strength and arm volume did
not alter significantly.
Conclusions
Physiotherapy reduces pain and improves shoulder function and quality of life following
axillary dissection after breast cancer.

Janine


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