The effect of zaltoprofen on physiotherapy for limited shoulder movement in breast cancer patients: a single-blinded before-after trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of oral administration of zaltoprofen on shoulder range of motion (ROM) exercises for breast cancer patients after surgery.


METHODS
Single-blind, before-after trial.


METHODS
Rehabilitation facility in a Japanese university hospital.


METHODS
Forty breast cancer patients (age range, 37-72y) with limited shoulder movement after surgery.


METHODS
Single session of physiotherapy (PT) with or without oral administration of zaltoprofen.


METHODS
Active shoulder ROM in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, as well as subjective pain score during shoulder movements.


RESULTS
Active shoulder movements after ingesting a zaltoprofen tablet significantly improved in flexion, abduction (P<.001), and external rotation (P<.005). PT treatment improved flexion and abduction ROM in both the zaltoprofen and control groups and led to significantly larger flexion and abduction movements in the zaltoprofen group than in the control group (P<.01). There were no differences in pain scores between groups, but 2 patients who did not receive zaltoprofen complained of increased pain just after ROM exercises.


CONCLUSIONS
Zaltoprofen taken orally before ROM exercises for painful shoulder after breast cancer surgery may enhance the effects of PT.
Hase
Kimitaka
K
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. khase@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
Kamisako
Michiyo
M
Fujiwara
Toshiyuki
T
Tsuji
Tetsuya
T
Liu
Meigen
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011422:Propionates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001578:Benzopyrans; D011422:Propionates; C043940:pyranoprofen