Effects of Exercise Intervention on Pain, Shoulder Movement, and Functional Status in Women after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most important types of cancer among women worldwide and is a significant stressor in women's life that may affect functional health status. The present study was aimed to determine the effect of selected exercises program on pain, shoulder disability, and functional outcomes in women after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in the Oncology Department and Oncology Center at Mansoura University Hospital. The data were collected from 60 adult patients with breast cancer surgery. Data were collected utilizing the following tools: 1) Inventory Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA) to measured Functional Status of breast cancer women; 2) Numerical rating scale: to measure pain intensity; 3) Universal goniometer: to measure shoulder ROM; and 4) A structured questionnaire to collect data related to socio-demographic data. Findings: The mean age of the studied women 43.10 and 45.06. The majority of the women in both groups were married and housewives. There was a highly significant difference in patients' level of pain intensity, shoulder movement and functional status of the study group as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This means that the educational program had positive effect in reducing patients' pain, improving shoulder movement, post program and after three month of implementation of the exercise program. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that there are improvements in shoulder movement and decreased pain level as well as improved functional status and overall quality of life.