Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of arm crank ergometry in
breast cancer patients after axillary lymph node dissection, with regard to
changes in bioelectrical impedance analysis, arm circumference, muscular
strength, quality of life and fatigue. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical
intervention trial. SUBJECTS: Forty-nine patients with breast cancer after
axillary lymph node dissection. METHODS:
Arm crank ergometer training
twice-weekly was compared with usual care over 12 weeks. RESULTS: The arm crank
ergometer group improved significantly in terms of lean body mass and skeletal
muscle mass, and showed a significant decrease in body fat. In the arm crank
ergometer group, as well as the usual care group, a significant increase in
armpit circumference was detected during the training period. The magnitude of
the gain was higher in the usual care group. For all other measured regions of
the arm a significant decrease in circumference was seen in both groups. Muscular
strength of the upper extremity increased significantly in both groups, with a
greater improvement in the arm crank ergometer group. In both groups a
non-significant trend towards improvement in quality of life was observed. The arm crank ergometer group showed significant improvements in physical
functioning, general fatigue and physical fatigue.
CONCLUSION: These results
confirm the feasibility of arm crank ergometer training after axillary lymph node
dissection and highlight improvements in strength, quality of life and reduced
arm symptoms with this training.
- Cancer du sein

Langue : ANGLAIS