Effect of structured training programme on arm dysfunction, lymphoedema and quality of life after breast cancer surgery.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of education given according to daily living activities model on arm dysfunction, lymphoedema and quality of life in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. The randomised controlled study was done at a tertiary hospital and comprised patients undergoing breast cancer surgery who underwent breast cancer surgery from November 2017 to October 2018. After randomisation, the intervention group received education through specifically-designed tools, while the control group received routine care. Data was collected using a patient information form, the subjective perception of post-operative functional impairment of the arm scale, Katz index of daily living activities, the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand scale and the short form of the quality of life scale. Three interviews were conducted at post-surgery 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Of the 58 subjects, 29(50%) each were cases and controls. The overall mean age was 48.9±9 years. In the intervention group, the measurements of the upper arm circumference were significantly better than the control group (p<0.05). Also there were significant differences between the groups in terms of scales and indices used (p<0.05). The intervention group recovered earlies than the control group.