Patient education, upper-limb symptom perception, and quality of life among Japanese breast cancer survivors

Objective: To synthesise the existing evidence about the effect of patient education, either used alone or as adjunctive therapy, on the improvement of quality of life, pain and fatigue in adult breast cancer survivors. Data sources: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Plus, PEDro, Dialnet and Clinicaltrials.gov databases. Methods: We conducted this systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Only randomised controlled trials with adult breast cancer survivors were included. We assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the PEDro scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We synthesised evidence using the GRADE tool. Results: We included 14 studies (PEDro 4–8 points) comprising 1749 adult women who survived breast cancer, of which we included 12 in the quantitative analysis. There were statistically significant short-term benefits for improved global quality-of-life (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.43, P = 0.05, 95% CI [0.00, 0.85]; GRADE: low certainty; not important), emotional quality-of-life (SMD = 0.32, P = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.62]) and fatigue (SMD = 0.24, P = 0.0004, 95% CI [0.11, 0.37]; GRADE: low certainty; not important). However, there were not statistically significant for pain severity (SMD = −0.05, P = 0.67, 95% CI [−0.26, 0.17]; GRADE: low certainty; not important) and fear to recurrence (SMD = −0.05, P = 0.68, 95% CI [−0.31, 0.20]; GRADE: moderate certainty; not important). Conclusion: Patient education have a significative effect in short-term global quality-of-life, emotional quality-of-life and fatigue, though all the results were classified as ‘not important’.

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The Impact of Dragon Boating on Fatigue for Breast Cancer Survivors

Psychology and Mental Health Care ◽

10.31579/2637-8892/103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 01-07

Author(s):

Margaret Denny

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Small Scale ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Background: Fatigue following treatment for breast cancer has a profound impact on quality of life. Dragon boating is known to be beneficial because of its networking and social function. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of dragon boating on fatigue and health related quality of life. Intervention/Methods: Individual and Family Self-Management Theory guided the study. The methodology was a multiple point cohort panel design. Data were collected from breast cancer survivors (n=26) to measure fatigue, quality of life and upper arm functioning at the beginning of the racing season timepoint 1 (T1), midway through the programme, timepoint 2 (T2), and at the end of the dragon boat season, timepoint 3 (T3). Results: Fatigue levels fell significantly between T1and T2 (p<.033) and from T2 to T3 (p<.048). Similarly, upper limb functioning improved from T1 to T2 (p<.002), but showed no significant change between T2 andT3 (p<.58). Fatigue was significantly related to quality of life at each time point. Conclusion: While this was a small scale study, the findings suggest that dragon boating appears to have beneficial effects on well-being including reduction of fatigue, which impacts on health related quality of life for women post breast cancer. Implications for Practice: This study confirms the benefits of dragon boating in upper limb functioning and reduction of fatigue. Health care professionals could advise cancer survivors on the benefits of dragon boating exercise, post cancer treatment.

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Evidence for Adapted Physical Activity as an Effective Intervention for Upper Limb Mobility and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2012-0119 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 814-822 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Daniela Mirandola ◽

Guido Miccinesi ◽

Maria Grazia Muraca ◽

Eleonora Sgambati ◽

Marco Monaci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Specific Exercise

Background:Physical activity interventions are known to be effective in improving the physical and psychological complaints of breast cancer survivors.Purpose: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.Conclusion: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.

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