Shoulder amplitude movement does not influence postoperative wound complications after breast cancer surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Conservative interventions and clinical outcome measures used in the perioperative rehabilitation of breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy: a scoping review

Background

Mastectomy is the first-line treatment approach for more than 90% of breast cancer patients. The numerous physical impairments associated with this surgical procedure negatively impact the patient’s quality of life. To date, rehabilitation resources available for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy within the institutions affiliated to the Centre intégré universitaire de soins de santé et de services sociaux de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS-MCQ) are lacking and do not always seem to reflect the particularities of breast cancer care pathways. The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the conservative interventions and the clinical outcome measures used in the perioperative physical rehabilitation of women with breast cancer who are awaiting or have undergone mastectomy. We also aimed to report on the barriers and facilitators to study participation and completion.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to January 2021, and we updated the search on July 11, 2022. We included peer-reviewed English and French literature with quantitative designs, describing conservative interventions and clinical outcome measures used within rehabilitation programs designed for women who were awaiting or had undergone mastectomy. Paired reviewers independently reviewed all citations and articles using a two-phase screening process and independently extracted the data.

Results

Of the 6080 articles identified, 57 met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions were multimodal, which combined exercise with patient education, manual therapy, and/or lymphatic drainage. The most frequently used objective measures of physical function were shoulder range of motion, muscle strength, and signs of lymphedema. In contrast, the primary patient-reported outcome measures were quality of life, shoulder function, and pain. Undergoing another breast surgery, death, and cancer recurrence were the most reported barriers to study completion.

Conclusion

This scoping review reports on the heterogeneity and wide range of conservative interventions and clinical outcome measures used in the physical rehabilitation of breast cancer patients who had undergone or were scheduled to undergo mastectomy. Tailoring interventions to breast cancer patients’ needs and promoting outpatient rehabilitation interventions appear to be better suited to the particularities of breast cancer care pathways. Further research is needed to better identify barriers and facilitators to study participation and completion.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01927-3.

Physical therapy after breast cancer surgery improves range of motion and pain over time

ABSTRACT Treatment of breast cancer can impair range of motion (ROM) and cause homolateral upper limb pain (UL). This study aimed to compare the ROM, intensity and characterization of UL homolateral pain between the 1st, 10th and 20th sessions of physiotherapy, besides correlating these variables. A clinical trial self-controlled study involving 49 women after mastectomy or quadrantectomy with pain complaint on UL was conducted. ROM was evaluated by goniometry and contralateral UL was adopted as control. The intensity of pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and characterized by the McGill questionnaire, obtaining the number of words chosen (NWC) and the pain evaluation index (PRI). The ROM of the homolateral UL increased significantly over the 20 sessions. Comparing the homolateral UL with the control, only the abduction did not improve significantly after the 20th session. Pain intensity, PRI and NWC reduced significantly between 1st and 10th and between 1st and 20th sessions. The sensory and evaluative categories also decreased significantly. We observed a significant correlation between VAS, PRI and NWC in the 10th and 20th sessions. Physiotherapy increased ROM, reduced pain in the homolateral UL, and fewer words were chosen to characterize the pain. Significant improvements were observed at the beginning of treatment, but with additional gains over time. Exercises for bilateral flexion, abduction, and external rotation should be emphasized.

Fisioterapia após cirurgia de câncer de mama melhora a amplitude de movimento e a dor ao longo do tempo

RESUMO O tratamento do câncer de mama pode prejudicar a amplitude de movimento (ADM) e causar dor no membro superior (MS) homolateral. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a ADM, a intensidade e a caracterização da dor no MS homolateral à cirurgia entre as 1ª, 10ª e 20ª sessões de fisioterapia, além de correlacionar estas variáveis. Foi conduzido um ensaio clínico autocontrolado com a participação de 49 mulheres após cirurgia de câncer de mama que se queixavam de dor no MS. A ADM foi avaliada por meio de goniometria e o MS contralateral foi adotado como controle. A intensidade de dor foi avaliada pela escala visual analógica (EVA) e caracterizada pelo Questionário de McGill, obtendo-se o número de palavras escolhidas (NWC) e o índice de avaliação da dor (PRI). Verificou-se aumento significativo da ADM do MS homolateral ao longo das 20 sessões. Comparando o MS homolateral ao contralateral, somente a abdução não melhorou significativamente após a 20ª sessão. Observou-se uma redução significativa da intensidade de dor, do PRI e do NWC entre a 1ª e 10ª e entre a 1ª e 20ª sessão. As categorias sensorial e avaliativa também diminuíram significativamente. Foi encontrada uma correlação significativa entre EVA, PRI e NWC entre a 10ª e a 20ª sessão. A fisioterapia aumentou a ADM, reduziu a dor no MS homolateral e o número de palavras escolhidas para caracterizar a dor. Foram observadas melhoras expressivas no início do tratamento e ganhos adicionais ao longo do tempo. Exercícios para flexão, abdução e rotação externa bilaterais devem ser enfatizados no tratamento.

Exercise Protocol With Limited Shoulder Range of Motion for 15 or 30 Days After Conservative Surgery for Breast Cancer With Oncoplastic Technique: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to evaluate the effect of limiting shoulder range of motion (ROM) for 15 or 30 days on surgical complications and on shoulder ROM, pain, and upper limb function of breast cancer patients following conservative oncoplastic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 60 women with breast cancer who underwent conservative oncoplastic surgery. The day after surgery, all patients started an exercise protocol with shoulder exercises limited to 90 degrees. Two weeks after surgery they were randomized into Free ROM Group (n=30) or Limited ROM Group (n=30). The Free ROM Group was allowed to perform shoulder exercises with unlimited ROM; the Limited ROM Group continued with shoulder movement restricted at 90 degrees until 30 days after surgery, at which time they were also allowed free ROM. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications (dehiscence, seroma, infection, and necrosis) and secondary outcomes were shoulder ROM, pain, and upper limb function.

RESULTS

No difference in the incidence of postoperative scar complications between groups was noted. There was no difference between the groups in shoulder joint amplitude, pain, or upper limb function.

CONCLUSIONS

The free ROM exercise protocol 15 days post surgery was safe concerning cicatricial complications.