Search

Facilitating the restoration of upper limb functionality is a key objective of stroke rehabilitation. This study aimed to compare the effects of boxing and scapular stabilization training on scapular mobility, balance angle, muscle strength, motor function, and satisfaction in hemiparetic patients. A total of sixty patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the boxing group (BG; n = 20), the scapular stabilization group (SSG; n = 20), or the control group (CG; n = 20) which received no treatment at all. Each treatment group participated in three sessions per week for a total of eight weeks. The scapular mobility, balance angle (SBA), muscle strength, upper extremity motor functions (Manual Function Test-MFT), and treatment satisfaction were evaluated. The BG group showed greater improvements in the SBA (F = 59,951; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.682), mobility-frontal plane (F = 7998; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.222), mobility-sagittal plane (F = 91,632; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.766), and mobility-transverse plane (F = 48,713; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.635) than did the CG group. BG strengthened the serratus anterior (F = 42,227; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.601), while SSG strengthened the infraspinatus (F = 31,772; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.532) more than did CG. Compared with those in the SSG, supraspinatus (F = 52,589; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.653), upper trapezius (F = 42,890; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.605), anterior deltoideus (F = 30,844; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.524), latissimus dorsi (F = 84,345; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.751), MFTs (F = 52,363; p = 0.000; η 2  = 0.652) and satisfaction (p = 0.008) were greater in the BG. Both approaches had a beneficial impact on the recovery process. However, boxing training was more effective than scapular stabilization training for several parameters. Clinical Trial Number: NCT05568173 date 5/10/2022., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

BACKGROUND: The quality of life of breast cancer survivors who had a mastectomy may decrease due to potential physical problems and reduced upper extremity functions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the physical characteristics, upper extremity functions and quality of life of breast cancer survivors and healthy women. METHODS: A total of 66 women participated in this study: breast cancer survivors (n = 33) and healthy counterparts (n = 33) participated in this study. The Lateral Scapular Dyskinesia Slide Test was used to evaluate scapular dyskinesia, the hand-held dynamometer was used to measure upper extremity muscular strength, the Angle Reproduction Test was used to measure upper extremity position sense, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was used to assess upper extremity functions, and the Short Form-36 was used to assess the quality of life. RESULTS: The findings showed that the prevalence of scapular dyskinesia was higher, whereas upper extremity muscle strength, shoulder joint position sense, upper extremity functions and many sub-dimensions of quality of life were reduced in breast cancer survivor women compared to the healthy women (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Several physical characteristics, upper extremity functions and quality of life of breast cancer survivor women who had a mastectomy were affected more in comparison to healthy women. Thus, these parameters should be included in physiotherapy assessment and treatment programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a common complication after breast cancer treatment.This study examined isokinetic proprioception, muscular strength, and endurance by comparing extremity with lymphedema and the extremity without lymphedema in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. A total of 15 individuals aged between 35 and 70 years participated in this study. Cybex Humac NORM Isokinetic dynamometer (CSMi, Stoughton, MA) were used to assess upper extremity passive proprioception, active proprioception, kinesthesia, muscle strength, and muscle endurance. The upper extremity lymphedema was measured with the water displacement arm volumetry test using a volumeter. All isokinetic measurements demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the extremity with lymphedema and the extremity without lymphedema, suggesting lower scores in the extremity with lymphedema (p <.05). There was a positive correlation between passive internal rotation in the extremity with lymphedema and the time after mastectomy (r = 0.628, p =.012) and a moderate positive relationship was found between the time after lymphedema and passive internal rotation (r = 0.577; p =.024), and active external rotation position sense (r = 0.540; p =.038) in the extremity with lymphedema. Also, a unidirectional positive moderate (r = 0.594; p =.020) relationship was found between the lymphedema stage and passive external rotation in the extremity with lymphedema. The difference in proprioception, muscle strength, and endurance between the extremity with lymphedema and the extremity without lymphedema in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema will provide valuable information in terms of prioritizing these parameters in treatment. • Breast cancer-related lymphedema affects proprioception. • Shoulder mobility may affect muscle strength. • Muscle endurance is reduced on the affected side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]