Physiotherapeutic approach and functional performance after breast cancer surgery

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: Surgery for breast cancer can impair range of motion (ROM) and functionality of upper limb (UL). Objective: To compare ROM and functional performance of homolateral UL after physiotherapeutic approach and to correlate these variables. Methods: A non-randomized clinical trial study enrolled 33 women who were submitted to mastectomy or quadrantectomy associated with axillary lymphadenectomy. ROM was assessed by homolateral UL and contralateral limb (control) goniometry. Functional performance was assessed by “Disability of arm, shoulder and hand” (DASH) questionnaire. The protocol consisted in 10 sessions (3 sessions per week during 60 minutes), involving passive mobilization of glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joint, soft tissue mobilization, neck muscles and upper limb muscles stretching, exercises in all planes of motion, applied alone or in combination. Weight bearing exercise with elastic bands and dumbbells from 0.5 to 1.0 kilograms were also applied. Results: There was a meaningful increase in ROM of all movements after physiotherapy; however, flexion, abduction and lateral rotation remained lower than control limb. DASH score decreased significantly from 28.06 ± 16.1 to 15.71 ± 10.7 (p = 0.001) meaning an improvement in functional performance of UL. No correlation was observed between ROM and DASH. Conclusion: Functional performance and ROM, after 10 physiotherapy sessions, improved significantly, however, a long-term follow-up can contribute to further improvement.</p></div

TENS effects on dysesthesia and quality of life after breast cancer surgery with axilectomy: randomized controlled trial

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: After breast cancer surgery, many women may present quality of life (QOL) impairment due to the presence of discomfort as dysesthesia in the anterolateral region of the chest, armpit and/or medial part of the arm caused by intercostobrachial nerve injury (ICBN). Objective: To investigate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on dysesthesia intensity at the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) dermatome and QOL in women after breast cancer surgery. Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted. Women undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy (AL), with dysesthesia on ICBN dermatome were included. Patients were divided into active and placebo TENS groups. TENS was applied with a frequency of 100 Hz, pulse duration of 100 µs and amplitude at the highest sensory intensity tolerable for 20 minutes during 20 sessions, three times a week, on alternating days. In the placebo TENS group, electrical current was delivered only during the first 45 seconds of application. Skin sensitivity was assessed by esthesiometry. Dysesthesia intensity was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and QOL with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the specific EORTC QLQ-BR23 which is the Breast Cancer Module. Results: VAS decreased significantly over the 20 sessions in the active TENS group (p<0.006) and no difference was found between groups. There weren’t significant differences in EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 after 20 sessions or between groups. Conclusion: TENS decreased dysesthesia intensity in the ICBN dermatome after breast cancer surgery, but did not improve quality of life.</p></div