title: Effect of home-based exercise program on lymphedema and quality of life in female postmastectomy patients: pre-post intervention study.
abstract: Lymphedema is a debilitating complication following mastectomy, affecting the arm functions and quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer patients. Studies have shown the beneficial effects of upper-limb exercises on lymphedema in clinical settings. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the effect of home-based exercises on lymphedema; therefore, we examined the effect of a home-based exercise program on lymphedema and QOL in postmastectomy patients. Thirty-two female postmastectomy lymphedema patients participated in an individualized home-based exercise program for 8 weeks. Arm circumference, arm volume, and QOL (36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were measured before and after the program. Data were analyzed with the use of paired t-tests for circumferential and volumetric measures and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests for QOL. Significance level was set at p < 0.01 with Bonferroni correction (alpha/n = 0.05/5 = 0.01). Analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in the affected upper-limb circumference and volume (~122 mL reduction, p < 0.001) and in the QOL scores (p < 0.001) at the end of the home-based exercise program. The individualized home-based exercise program led to improvement in affected upper-limb volume and circumference and QOL of postmastectomy lymphedema patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. ajayphysio@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ajay P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: Arun G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maiya
authors.forename: Mamidipudi S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vidyasagar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome