ABSTRACT
The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility and safety of delivering an early supervised physical therapy intervention to women after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB); furthermore, we aimed to provide explorative data on its effects. This was a single-site feasibility study. Pre- and post-evaluation was conducted from baseline to follow-up at 6 months. Primary outcomes were participant recruitment, participant retention, compliance with the intervention, and safety. Secondary outcomes were shoulder range of motion, handgrip strength, upper limb pain and disability, scar recovery, quality of life, and the incidence of axillary web syndrome (AWS) and/or lymphoedema. A total of 43 participants (mean age 55.37 years) completed the trial and the follow-up period. A total of 91% of women who met the inclusion criteria agreed to participate, and the adherence rate was 80%. No adverse events were reported. Incidence of AWS was 9.3%, and there was no incidence of lymphoedema at 6 months. Our results support that this intervention is feasible and safe. The results presented in this study also provide preliminary evidence for the use of a rehabilitation program as a supportive intervention after SLNB, but future research on effectiveness is needed.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Exercise Therapy , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy , Treatment Outcome , Breast Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Exercise Therapy/standards , Female , Hand Strength , Humans , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy/rehabilitationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our aims were to determine if and how advice regarding physical rehabilitation (arm-specific and general exercise) was provided after treatment for breast cancer, as well as the prevalence of physical impairments following treatment for breast cancer in an Australian population. METHODS: Members of the Review and Survey Group of the Breast Cancer Network Australia participated in a validated web-based survey. RESULTS: Participants included 186 women who underwent axillary node dissection and 201 who underwent sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer. Of the respondents, 75% reported receiving arm-specific exercise advice following surgery and 44% were advised on the importance of general exercise at some point during treatment. Despite this, upper limb impairments were commonly reported during treatment and 1 year after surgery, particularly for women who had undergone axillary node dissection. DISCUSSION: Although rehabilitation advice is commonly offered to women treated for breast cancer in Australia, pain and reduced arm function remain common in women more than 1 year after surgery.
