Giuditta Carretti1, Daniela Mirandola1,2, Francesca Maestrini2, Lisa Sequi2, Sara Germano1, Maria Grazia Muraca3,4, Guido Miccinesi4, Mirko Manetti1, Mirca Marini5. 1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy. 2. The Italian League Against Tumors (LILT), 50126, Florence, Italy. 3. Oncological Rehabilitation Centre (Ce.Ri.On.), 50139, Florence, Italy. 4. Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute (ISPRO), 50139, Florence, Italy. 5. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy. mirca.marini@unifi.it.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Chronic lymphedema causes psychophysical sequelae jeopardizing quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer (BC) survivors, and lack of effective therapies represents a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Structured adapted physical activity (APA) may represent an effective strategy to attenuate cancer treatment-related impairments and improve QoL. Here, we describe the effects of a specific APA intervention based on a novel multiperspective methodology in counteracting lymphedema-related morphofunctional alterations and improving QoL of BC survivors. METHODS: BC survivors with chronic moderate/severe lymphedema attending the Cancer Rehabilitation Center in Florence were assessed before and after 8-week APA. The protocol consisted of both APA specialist-supervised and self-leaded sessions using a tailor-designed proprioceptive board. Body mass index, bioimpedance parameters, indirect upper limb volume measurement, and ultrasonography were performed. Wrist flexion/extension and hand strength functional tests were also executed. QoL, depression/anxiety and pain intensity were evaluated by ULL27, HADS, distress thermometer and NRS questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: Although bioimpedance, ultrasound and volumetric measures remained mostly unchanged, wrist mobility, pain perception, depression, and QoL were all significantly ameliorated after APA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving APA professionals should be employed in the management of BC-related lymphedema to improve patient psychophysical outcomes and QoL.
PURPOSE: Chronic lymphedema causes psychophysical sequelae jeopardizing quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer (BC) survivors, and lack of effective therapies represents a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Structured adapted physical activity (APA) may represent an effective strategy to attenuate cancer treatment-related impairments and improve QoL. Here, we describe the effects of a specific APA intervention based on a novel multiperspective methodology in counteracting lymphedema-related morphofunctional alterations and improving QoL of BC survivors. METHODS: BC survivors with chronic moderate/severe lymphedema attending the Cancer Rehabilitation Center in Florence were assessed before and after 8-week APA. The protocol consisted of both APA specialist-supervised and self-leaded sessions using a tailor-designed proprioceptive board. Body mass index, bioimpedance parameters, indirect upper limb volume measurement, and ultrasonography were performed. Wrist flexion/extension and hand strength functional tests were also executed. QoL, depression/anxiety and pain intensity were evaluated by ULL27, HADS, distress thermometer and NRS questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: Although bioimpedance, ultrasound and volumetric measures remained mostly unchanged, wrist mobility, pain perception, depression, and QoL were all significantly ameliorated after APA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving APA professionals should be employed in the management of BC-related lymphedema to improve patient psychophysical outcomes and QoL.
Authors: V Fialka-Moser; M Korpan; E Varela; A Ward; C Gutenbrunner; J M Casillas; A Delarque; M Berteanu; N Christodoulou Journal: Ann Phys Rehabil Med Date: 2013-03-22
Authors: Giuditta Carretti; Daniela Mirandola; Sara Germano; Mirko Manetti; Mirca Marini Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-04 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Marco Invernizzi; Lorenzo Lippi; Arianna Folli; Alessio Turco; Lorenzo Zattoni; Antonio Maconi; Alessandro de Sire; Nicola Fusco Journal: Front Mol Biosci Date: 2022-09-08