Fisioterapia em oncologia mamária: qualidade de vida e evolução clínico funcional Physiotherapy for brest cancer: quality of life, clinical and functional evolution

Objective: To assess the physiotherapy intervention influence in the quality of life and functional and clinical evolution of women who underwent breast cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental (before and after) study design was used. An eight week strength and flexibility training program was performed in 10 women subjected to surgery and adjuvant therapy. In order to assess the quality of life, the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire was used. The clinical and functional evaluation involved the assessment of the shoulder amplitude of movement measured trough goniometry; shoulder flexion, extension and abduction muscle strength were assessed by a one maximum repetition test; rest and movement pain; sensitivity; and edema by perimetry. Results: There was no alteration in the percentage of answers using the quality of life questionnaire. In the initial assessment, the patients had decreased muscle strength and movement amplitude in the upper limb homolateral to the surgical site, and in the final assessment, such difference was not observed, and there was increased strength and movement amplitude in both limbs. In the motion sensitivity test, paresis at the surgical site was reported, which has not changed. Patients reported a 40% decrease in the strong pain during the arm movement after treatment and when assessing rest pain, at first 50% of the patients reported strong pain and afterwards all the patients reported weak pain. There was no lymphedema formation. Conclusion: The exercise protocol application has improved the clinical and functional parameters, except for the paresis, and there was no decline in the quality of life.