Effects of physiotherapy on improving quality of life in women after mastectomy

Background
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting the female population and the second most common cause of death from malignant tumors in this group. Increasing morbidity is observed all over the world. Deterioration of both physical and mental functioning leads to significant changes in a woman's family, social, and professional life and is a major cause of reduced quality of life.

Aims
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of physiotherapy on the improvement of the quality of life in women after mastectomy.

Material and methods
A group of 100 women participated in the research. The study group consisted only of women diagnosed with breast cancer, after mastectomy and undergoing oncological treatment. All participants were referred to the day rehabilitation unit, where for 5 weeks they received physiotherapeutic treatments 5 times a week, including kinesiotherapy, manual lymphatic drainage, scar mobilization, whirlpool massage, pneumatic massage, and bandaging. Before and after the treatment, the range of motion in the shoulder joint and the circumference of the upper limb on the operated side were measured. Additionally, the women were asked to complete 3 questionnaires investigating their well-being during the treatment process: a proprietary questionnaire, Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results
As a result of physiotherapeutic procedures, there was a statistically significant improvement in the range of flexion, abduction, as well as internal and external rotation in the shoulder joint, and a decrease in the measurements values at each examined level in the upper limb on the operated side. A statistically significant improvement in the quality of life was also observed in women after rehabilitation.

Conclusions
Physiotherapeutic treatment contributes to the improvement of the quality of life in women after mastectomy.