Programa de fisioterapia aquática em mulheres mastectomizadas

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the measures of the movement range of the glenohumeral joint on the mastectomized side before and after Aquatic Physiotherapy and to verify the repercussions on quality of life and self-esteem. Methods: Ten mastectomized women with a mean age of 63.5 years participated in this study; 6 patients underwent radical mastectomy with axillary emptying and 4 patients who underwent mastectomy of quadrandectomy, among those who underwent radical mastectomy only 2 patients underwent breast reconstruction with a prosthesis. For the analysis of the data, we used as an instrument for 4 quantifying the range of motion of the shoulder homologous to mastectomy to Computerized Biophotometry, and to analyze the quality of life we used the SF36 life questionnaire. For this, it was necessary to record the images of flexion, extension and maximal active abduction movements and then digitalize them and quantify them through the program PhysioMeter Posturogram. Initial assessment and final evaluation were performed after 10 sessions of aquatic physical therapy. Results: For the statistical analysis, Student's t-test was applied with a significance level of 0.05 in a bilateral test. According to the results, significant differences were found in flexion movements (p = 0.007), extension (p = 0.0009) and abduction (p = 0.005) of the shoulder homolateral to mastectomy when compared to the initial evaluation before initiating physiotherapy. For the analysis of the SF-36 life questionnaire we had a significant improvement (p = 0.005) in patients' quality of life. Conclusion: Aquatic physiotherapy is beneficial for the gain of the shoulder range of motion in mastectomized women, and the group treatment has brought improvements to the quality of life of women.