The effects of complex exercise on shoulder range of motion and pain for women with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Jin-Hyuck Park, Breast Cancer (2017)

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The effects of complex exercise on shoulder range of motion and pain for women with breast cancer-related lymphedema: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Jin-Hyuck Park, Breast Cancer (2017)

BACKGROUND:

This study was to investigate the effects of complex exercise on shoulder range of motion and pain for women with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

METHODS:

69 women participated in this study and then they were randomly allocated to complex exercise group (n = 35) or the conventional decongestive therapy group (n = 34). All subjects received 8 sessions for 4 weeks. To identify the effects on shoulder range of motion and pain, goniometer and visual analog scale were used, respectively. The outcome measurements were performed before and after the 4 week intervention.

RESULTS:

After 4 weeks, complex exercise group had greater improvements in shoulder range of motion and pain compared with the conventional decongestive therapy group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that complex exercise is beneficial to improve shoulder range of motion as well as pain of the women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Complex exercise would be useful to improve shoulder range of motion and pain of the women with breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Main findings

  • The complex exercise group protocol (moderate exertion) consisted of:
TIMECONTENTDURATION
MorningTrain to arm ergometer at 20 RPM till 2 weeks and raise 30 RPM till 4 weeks20 min
Noon1. Extension triceps
2. Biceps curl
3. Paddling in sitting position
4. Paddling in sitting with forward lean position
5. Fluttering with both arms
6. Put your hands above your head in a V shape
Train to range of motion exercise at 1 kg till 2 weeks and raise 1.5 kg till 4 weeks
20 min
AfternoonTrain to treadmill at 1 km/h till 2 weeks and raise 2 km/h till 4 weeks20 min
  • The conventional decongestive therapy group consisted of pneumatic compression (30mmHg for 30min), manual lymph drainage 30min, skin care, and low-stretch bandages respectively (mmHg not provided). This was carried out 5 times per week for 4 weeks.
  • Objective measurements consisted pf pain scale, shoulder range of movement using a goniometer.
  • Complex exercise significantly reduced the pain scale using visual analog scale. On the other hand, the conventional decongestive therapy group did not have change in the pain scale.
  • This study showed that complex exercise significantly increases the ROM compared to the conventional decongestive therapy.