Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a scapula-oriented exercise on upper limb
dysfunction in breast cancer survivors. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized,
controlled pilot trial with historical control. SETTING: Rehabilitation
department at a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two women with breast
cancer were randomly assigned to scapula-oriented exercise group (n = 16) and
general exercise group (n = 16). An historical control group (n = 18) without
exercise was enrolled from breast cancer survivors. The scapula-oriented exercises were designed focusing on scapulothoracic movement.
The general exercise group performed body conditioning exercise. Exercise
therapies were performed for one session per week for eight weeks. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Pain and physical disabilities related to upper limb dysfunction,
quality of life and depression were used as subjective outcomes. Objective
outcome measures included shoulder range of motion and strength. Outcomes were
assessed at baseline and post exercise. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant
difference was observed among the three groups. The scapula-oriented exercise
group showed improvements in pain, physical function, social function, and global
quality of life compared with baseline, whereas the general exercise group showed
improved fatigue and range of motion. The change in global quality of life (P =
0.067; effect size, 0.33) and strength of external rotation (P = 0.001; effect
size, 0.55) were significantly greater in the scapula-oriented exercise group
than in the general exercise and control group. CONCLUSION: Scapula-oriented
exercise had beneficial effects on pain, quality of life and aspects of strength.
The sample size required in a larger definitive study is 32 subjects per group.

Langue : ANGLAIS