Effects of Pilates exercises on shoulder range of motion, pain, mood, and upper-extremity function in women living with breast cancer: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Pilates exercises on shoulder range of motion (ROM), pain, mood, and upper-extremity (UE) function in women who had been treated for breast cancer.


METHODS
The participants were 4 women who had undergone axillary dissection and radiation therapy for stage I to IV breast cancer.


METHODS
A nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline, single-subject research design was used to examine the effects of Pilates exercises on the 4 outcomes.


RESULTS
Visual analyses of the data suggest a modest effect of the Pilates exercise program in improving shoulder abduction and external rotation ROM. Statistically significant improvement in shoulder internal and external rotation in the affected UE was shown for the one participant with pre-existing metastatic disease. The improving baselines seen for pain, mood, and UE function data made it impossible to assess the effects of Pilates exercises on those outcomes. No adverse events were experienced.


CONCLUSIONS
Pilates exercises may be an effective and safe exercise option for women who are recovering from breast cancer treatments; however, further research is needed.
Keays
Kim S
KS
kkeays@shaw.ca
Harris
Susan R
SR
Lucyshyn
Joseph M
JM
MacIntyre
Donna L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*