title: Evidence for adapted physical activity as an effective intervention for upper limb mobility and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity interventions are known to be effective in improving the physical and psychological complaints of breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of a specific exercise training program on upper limb mobility and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 55 women recruited at the Cancer Rehabilitation Centre in Florence after the completion of breast cancer treatment and rehabilitative physiotherapy. All participants underwent an 8-week specific exercise training to improve upper limb mobility function and quality of life. Anthropometric parameters were measured, and each subject underwent a battery of fitness tests to assess shoulder-arm mobility, range of motion, and back flexibility before and after specific exercise program. All participants filled out the Short Form-12 and numerical rating scale questionnaires to assess the quality of life and to quantify back and shoulder pain intensity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evaluation of shoulder-arm mobility and self-reported questionnaire data revealed a statistically significant improvement after completion of our specific exercise program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An organized specific program of adapted physical activity can be effective in reducing the main adverse effects of surgery and oncological therapy, and may significantly improve shoulder-arm mobility and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Ce.Ri.On, Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mirandola
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miccinesi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Muraca
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sgambati
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monaci
authors.forename: Mirca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D059186:Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*