Effects Of Baduanjin On Shoulder Pain And Range Of Motion In Postoperative Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Baduanjin on shoulder pain and range of motion in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted between October 2021 and December 2021 in China. Patients with cancer invading unilateral breast and stable disease for at least 6 months after radical resection were recruited, and non-inclusive factors were excluded, including cancer recurrence, malignant transformation, deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, fracture, upper limb third-degree edema, etc. 61 people were included and randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 31 people in the experimental group and 30 people in the control group. In this study, Simple joint goniometer, Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Chinese version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) were used to evaluate the joint range of motion, pain and upper limb function of patients. The experimental group used traditional Chinese Health Qigong Baduanjin for rehabilitation intervention; the patients in the control group were requested to maintain their original physical activity. Both groups were observed for 12 weeks. All data were calculated and analyzed using SPSS 26.0.

Results: After 12 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, the VAS score and DASH score of the experimental group were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the range of motion of flexion and external rotation of the affected shoulder joint was significantly improved (P < 0.05), and the range of adduction and internal rotation was significantly improved (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Baduanjin can improve the range of motion of shoulder joints, improve upper limb function and relieve pain in patients after breast cancer surgery.