Effect of Pre – operative structured exercise protocol on Postoperative Structural and Functional impairments in Modified Radical Mastectomy patients: A Randomized Control Trail.

Abstract

Background:

Pre-operative Education and Pre-operative Exercise Intervention are advised to decrease shoulder morbidity and other associated impairments with breast cancer surgery. These measures will may help to speed up recovery. The goal of the current study was to ascertain the impact of a Pre-operative Structured Exercise Protocol on post-operative structural and functional impairments in patients with modified radical mastectomy in terms of Shoulder Range of Motion, Tightness of Pectoralis minor muscle, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Functional Independence, and Quality of Life.

Methods:

94 women with breast cancer were recruited for this study. Further, were randomly assigned into Experimental (n= 47) and Control group (n= 47). Experimental group received pre-operative education, exercise booklet and a Pre-operative Structured Exercise Protocol for a duration of 1 week which was Follo wed by a post-operative supervised exercise protocol for a duration of 4 weeks. Control group received a supervised post-operative exercise protocol.

Pre and Post assessment was done using Shoulder Range of Motion (Flexion, Abduction, External rotation), Pectoralis minor muscle measurement (PMM), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Functional Independence Measure self-care scale (FIMS) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ C30). Measures were taken at baseline i.e. before intervention and after completion of rehabilitation i.e. after 4 weeks

Results: All measures significantly improved after completion of Rehabilitation in the Experimental group as compared with control group (p <0.005).

Conclusion: It was concluded that Group A (Experimental) shown a significant improvement in Shoulder Range of motion, Pectoralis Minor Muscle tightness, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Functional activities and Quality of Life in patients with Modified Radical Mastectomy as compared to the Control group.