The Effect of a Preventive Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Program on Affected Arm Function and Emotional State in Women Underwent Mastectomy
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Tian, Jia-Jia
Abstract
Impairment of shoulder range of motion and breast cancer-related lymphedema changes functional ability and may affect a patient’s overall quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a preventive upper extremity rehabilitation exercises program on affected arm function and emotional state in women underwent mastectomy. A longitudinal experimental design was employed. Women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent mastectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection were enrolled. Sixty subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Subjects in the experimental group received three face-to-face teaching sections on the upper extremity exercise. A booklet that carefully organized on preventive exercise with an eye toward adherence enforcement was also provided. Measures including shoulder range of motion, arm circumferences, hand grip force, perceived symptoms of affected limb, anxiety, and depression state were taken preoperatively and then postoperatively at day ten and one, two and three months. Demographics and disease/treatment related information was also collected. Descriptive, Chi-square test, and Independent t-test were performed by SPSS software package. The results showed that internal rotation and external rotation returned to preoperative levels more quickly in the experimental group than in the control group. Subjects in the experimental group had 14.2˚ more internal rotation at 1 month and 15.3˚ more external rotation at 3 months (p<0.01). The experimental group experienced a better recovery on functional status. Statistically significant differences were found for the following two items: “Washing your upper back on the ipsilateral side” (p<0.05) and “Fasten your bra at the back” (p<0.05). There were no differences in other outcomes between groups. The findings indicated that a preventive upper extremity rehabilitation program is beneficial in regaining shoulder range of motion and arm function for women underwent mastectomy. It will provide the basis for successful rehabilitation and reduction in upper extremity problems and health care use.
Subjects
Upper extremity rehabilitation exercises
Impairment of shoulder range of motion
Breast cancer-related lymphedema
Breast cancer
Emotional state
SDGs
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