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Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship 2/2011

01-06-2011

Comparison of shoulder flexibility, strength, and function between breast cancer survivors and healthy participants

Authors: Shana Harrington, Darin Padua, Claudio Battaglini, Lori A. Michener, Carol Giuliani, Joseph Myers, Diane Groff

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Introduction

Deficits after breast cancer treatment have been examined by comparing the surgically affected upper extremity to the unaffected extremity. It is not possible to know precisely if anti-cancer treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy had any effect on the unaffected arm. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM, strength, and shoulder function between breast cancer survivors and healthy, matched controls.

Methods

Shoulder pain and function was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder Hand (DASH) and the Pennsylvania Shoulder Score (PSS). Active and passive range of motion (ROM) for shoulder flexion, extension, external rotation (ER) at 0° and 90° of abduction, internal rotation (IR) at 90° of abduction were measured on the affected side using a digital inclinometer. Strength was measured using a hand held dynamometer for scapular abduction and upward rotation, scapular depression and adduction, flexion, internal rotation, ER, scaption, and horizontal adduction.

Results

Significant differences were found between the two groups for the DASH (p < 0.001) and PSS (p < 0.001), active flexion (p < 0.001), 90° ER (p = 0.020), extension (p = 0.004) and passive flexion (p < 0.001) and 90° ER (p = 0.012). All 7 of the shoulder girdle strength measures were significantly different between groups for abduction and upward rotation (p = 0.006), depression and adduction (p = 0.001), flexion (p < 0.001), ER (p = 0.004), IR (p = 0.001), scaption (p < 0.001), and adduction (p < 0.001).

Discussion/Conclusions

These results provide preliminary evidence to suggest clinicians focus on these particular ROM, strength, and shoulder function measures when treating a breast cancer survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Shoulder ROM, strength, and function are important to assess in BCS.
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of shoulder flexibility, strength, and function between breast cancer survivors and healthy participants
Authors
Shana Harrington
Darin Padua
Claudio Battaglini
Lori A. Michener
Carol Giuliani
Joseph Myers
Diane Groff
Publication date
01-06-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0168-0

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