The impact of rehabilitation sport on breast cancer-related lymphoedema and quality of life.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Surgery and radiotherapy as part of breast cancer treatment can lead to lymphoedema of the upper extremities (breast cancer-related lymphoedema = BCRL) and reduce the quality of life (health-related quality of life = HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of paddling in a dragon boat (PP) on HRQoL and BCRL in breast cancer survivors (BCS).

METHODS:

Between April and October 2017, a prospective case-control study evaluated the effects of PP compared to a control group. In the paddle group (n = 28), weekly arm circumference measurements were taken at four defined anatomic areas of the arm before and after training; in the control group (n = 70), the measurements were taken once a month. At the beginning and end of the study, questionnaires from both groups (SF 36, EORTC QLQ C30) were evaluated to understand the differences in HRQoL.

RESULTS:

The paddle group started with a higher HRQoL compared to the control group. Most interesting, whether the affected or unaffected arm, whether before or after training-the arm circumference decreased over time in the paddling group. A pre-existing lymphoedema was not negatively influenced by paddling. In the paddle group, the physical health was constant over the season, while the physical health of the control group decreased significantly over time.

CONCLUSION:

PP in a dragon boat does not lead to the development or worsening of pre-existing lymphoedema due to breast cancer therapy, and seems to have a positive effect on the quality of life.

• Authors: Bettina Boeer, Anna Seller, Birgitt Schoenfisch, Ute Krainick-Strobel, Andreas Dietrich, Sara Y Brucker, Diethelm Wallwiener, Andreas Niess, Markus Hahn
• Journal: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (Arch Gynecol Obstet) Vol. 307 Issue 5 Pg. 1529-1537 (05 2023) ISSN: 1432-0711 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 35879447 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Topics

• Humans
• Female
• Quality of Life
• Breast Neoplasms (complications, surgery)
• Case-Control Studies
• Health Status
• Lymphedema (etiology)