Control of static balance among women after mastectomy. Vision impact on the quality of the equilibrium response

The Influence of External Breast Prostheses on the Body Postures of Women Who Have Undergone Mastectomies

Most women who have had a mastectomy and have not opted for breast reconstruction choose to use an external breast prosthesis. This study aimed to assess the impacts of external breast prostheses on the body postures of women after unilateral mastectomies. An additional aim was to identify whether postural asymmetry depended on the side of mastectomy. This study involved 52 women after unilateral mastectomy and consisted of two parts: (1) anthropometric measurement and (2) assessment of body posture using the moiré topography method. The posturometric indices showed that the body posture of the subjects in the sagittal plane is characterized by forward trunk inclination and a tendency to excessive kyphosis. There were no significant differences between parameters characterizing body posture with and without external breast prosthesis. The lack of external breast prosthesis had a significant effect only on excessive forward trunk inclination. Significant differences were found in the posturometric parameters in the transverse plane between the groups of patients after left- and right-sided mastectomy. The obtained results did not fully confirm the hypothesis that the external breast prosthesis affects the body posture of women after unilateral mastectomy.

Influence of Complex Physical Therapy on Physical Fitness and Balance in Women After Unilateral Mastectomy Due to Cancer Treatment

Introduction: As a result of mastectomy, physical fitness deteriorates, balance disorders and lymphoedema of the upper limb occur, which undoubtedly affect the level of stability among women following this surgery. Complex physical therapy in this group of patients is one of the key aspects influencing the level of physical activity among women subjected to surgery. Research objective: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of complex physiotherapy on physical fitness and balance in women following unilateral mastectomy with lymphoedema of the upper limb. Additionally, it was analysed whether wearing an external breast prosthesis affects the postural stability of women after mastectomy. Materials and methods: The study group comprised 30 women post unilateral mastectomy, 51 to 78 years of age, with upper limb lymphoedema. Before starting and after completing the physical therapy programme, the examined women were asked to perform the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test and the Static Postural Stability Test on the Biodex Balance System platform. The tests were performed at the Posturology Laboratory of the Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce. Results: In the analysis of the results of the Timed Up and Go Test in women following unilateral mastectomy, better results were noted after completion of physiotherapy in all 3 trials (p=0.001, p=0.021, p=0.004), as well as in the Postural Stability Test for all test parameters. The Mann-Whitney U test allowed to indicate a statistically significant difference in the values of the general stability index (p=0.005) and the A/P stability index (p=0.004). Greater body sway dominated in the sagittal plane than in the frontal one (A/P > M/L). On the other hand, in posturographic examination, external prostheses did not affect the postural stability of post-mastectomy women. Conclusions: 1. Systematic motor exercises in women following unilateral mastectomy are an important element of maintaining required physical activity, and they also prevent posture-related disorders; 2. The use of an external breast prosthesis in women after unilateral mastectomy does not significantly cause a change to body posture.

Influence of the external breast prosthesis on the postural control of women who underwent mastectomy: Cross-sectional study

Women after mastectomy may decide to either have a breast reconstruction or use an external breast prosthesis. Aim: The aim of the presented research was to evaluate the influence of external breast prosthesis on postural stability in women after mastectomy. Methods and Procedures: In the study 52 women after unilateral mastectomy took part. The study consisted of 4 parts: 1) anthropometric measurements; 2) measurements of upper limb circumference; 3) assessment of weight-bearing (WB); and 4) posturographic tests (PT). Outcomes and Results: Differences in the arm circumferences on the amputated (A) and non-amputated (NA) sides did not confirm the occurrence of lymphedema in limb on amputated side. The results of the WB between the A and NA body sides in both tested conditions, i.e., with open and closed eyes, showed no significant differences between the test with and without an external prosthesis. No statistically differences have been observed between posturometric parameters with and without breast prosthesis during both PT. In comparing the posturometric parameters between the PT with open and closed eyes, the sway path of the center of pressure was statistically significantly longer when eyes were closed in both conditions, i.e., with and without breast prosthesis. Conclusion and Implications: The finding show that 1) external breast prosthesis does not have a significant influence on the symmetry of loading on the A and NA body sides and on the postural stability of women after unilateral mastectomy and 2) exclusion visual control during PT increases postural instability in women after unilateral mastectomy.