Mechanosensitivity in the upper extremity following breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Study design: Descriptive, cross-sectional.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) treatments place the nervous system at risk, which may contribute to upper extremity (UE) mechanosensitivity.

Purpose of the study: To evaluate elbow extension range of motion (EE-ROM) during upper limb neurodynamic testing (ULNT) post-BC treatment.

Methods: ULNT EE-ROM was measured for 145 women post-BC treatment. Women were sub-grouped by presence/absence of pain and lymphedema.

Results: Mean EE-ROM during ULNT1 was -22.3° (SD 11.9°) on the unaffected limb and -25.99° (SD 13.1°) on the affected limb. The women with pain and lymphedema had the greatest limitation in EE-ROM during ULNT1 testing, particularly of their affected limb (-33.8°, SD 12.9). Symptoms were reported more frequently in the affected chest, shoulder, arm, elbow, and hand. The intensity of symptoms was greater at the affected chest (p = 0.046), shoulder (p = 0.033) and arm (p = 0.039).

Conclusions: Women with lymphedema and pain after BC treatment may present with altered neural mechanosensitivity.

Level of evidence: 3a.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Lymphedema; Neurodynamics.