The Recovery of Reaching Movement in Breast Cancer Survivors: Two Different Rehabilitative Protocols in Comparison

Summary

This study emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation in breast cancer survivors after mastectomy, even during the course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, both for good efficacy in reducing pain and for functional recovery of the upper limb. Authors designed a randomized-controlled trial to compare two different rehabilitation protocols: the single rehabilitative treatment (ST) and the group treatment (GT). The study is the first attempt to measure the reaching movement after BC surgery with an optoelectronic evaluation system previously standardized in the neurological field during rehabilitation treatment.

Conditions

• Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Lymphedema
• Pain
• Pain, Postoperative
• Pain, Chronic
• Mastectomy; Lymphedema
• Breast Surgery

Interventions

OTHER

Single rehabilitative treatment

The rehabilitation treatment, performed by a physiotherapist trained in oncological rehabilitation, was carried out with a 6-week exercise program for 12 sessions (60 minutes/session, 2/week).). The protocol included a first phase consist in low impact aerobics warming (15-20 minutes), then diaphragmatic breathing and postural exercises for the midline alignment. The awareness of abdominal breathing represents the preliminary phase for a complete psychophysical relaxation of the patient, an important prerequisite for the correct execution of subsequent mobility, stretching and strengthening exercises of spine, scapula and upper limb. Subsequently, isometric strengthening exercises for shoulder stabilizing muscles, first passively and, subsequently, with supervision, were performed. Specific exercises, for passive mobilization and stabilization of the scapula, cervical pumping and stretching of the pectoral muscles, have been performed.

OTHER

Group rehabilitative treatment

Four-five patients for group. The rehabilitation treatment, performed by a physiotherapist trained in oncological rehabilitation, was carried out with a 6-week exercise program for 12 sessions (60 minutes/session, 2/week). The protocol included at first week mainly breathing techniques, then we introduced exercises gradually more active, according to the improvements of the execution. The exercises had the aim to improve the opening of the scapular chain and to increase the amplitude of the range of motion in order to stimulate better neuromuscular control during the movement of scapular retropulsion, to stretch the pectoral muscles following the rhythm of the breath and the tissues affected by post-surgical scars and fibrotic effects, finally to reinforcing, against gravity, the musculature of the shoulders and back.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Roma La Sapienza

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-01-08

Primary Completion

2019-04-15

Completion

2019-07-19

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations