Positive Health Online

Abstract

LE-VU and colleagues, Departement de biostatistique et d'epidemiologie, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France compared different modes of rehabilitation following breast cancer surgery .

Background

Methodology

The authors compared results of rehabilitation in 257 patients treated at the Institute Gustave-Roussy in 1990 and 1991. Rehabilitation groups were randomised according to 2 x 2 design, between physiotherapy alone, shoulder movement alone, both physiotherapy and shoulder movement and neither . Treatment started the day following breast surgery and continued for 7 days. Following this, all patients had physiotherapy and shoulder movements until their discharge from hospital. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated at day 7 by the volume of lymph drained and by degree of shoulder movement.

Results

Volume of lymph drained by day 7 was reduced in the physiotherapy groups, but not changed in the groups with shoulder movement. Degree of motion was greater in the group with both physiotherapy and shoulder movement. Complications at day 7 and beyond were similar in the 4 treatment groups; however pain was less frequent in the 2 groups with shoulder movement than in the other 2 groups.

Conclusion

Early treatment including both physiotherapy and shoulder movement appears to be advisable.

References

Le-Vu B et al. Efficacy of massage and mobilization of the upper limb after surgical treatment of breast cancer. Bull Cancer 84(10): 957-61. Oct 1997.

Comment

I find it immensely encouraging that studies of this nature regarding rehabilitation of breast cancer patients are published in the literature, as this sends a positive message both to patients and to other physiotherapists (if they read the literature) regarding the best way forward.