Effects of a scapula-oriented shoulder exercise programme on upper limb dysfunction in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled pilot trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of a scapula-oriented exercise on upper limb dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
A prospective randomized, controlled pilot trial with historical control.


METHODS
Rehabilitation department at a university hospital.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Seung Ah
SA
Lee
Ji-Young
JY
Kang
Yong Duck
YD
Kim
Ah Ra
AR
An
Sung-Won
SW
Kim
Yeon-Soo
YS
Kim
Jae-Young
JY
Lim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D016896:Treatment Outcome