2009 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 33-41
Abstract
The present study aimed to clarify the relation between subjective perception and objective assessment of postoperative functional impairment of the arms in breast cancer survivors, and to thereby identify suitable measurement methods for preventing and improving such impairment. Subjects were 62 breast cancer survivors who had undergone surgery within the past year and were receiving treatment on an outpatient basis (mean age 55.9±11.9 years). Each completed a six-item questionnaire survey on the subjective perception of postoperative functional impairment of the arms. Objective measurements related to arm function (forearm and upper arm girth, shoulder range of motion, and grip strength) were also conducted.
Results showed that swelling and reduced muscle strength were more common on subjective assessment, and that limited mobility or frozen shoulder was more common on objective assessment. Regarding the subjective perception and objective assessment of swelling, limited mobility or frozen shoulder, and reduced grip strength, significant positive correlations were observed between “cannot raise the arm on the operated side sideways up to the level of the ear without bending the elbow” and limitation of abduction (rs＝.25 ; p＜.05), and between “cannot raise the arm on the operated side sideways and move it backwards without bending the elbow” and limitation of horizontal extension (rs＝.28 ; p＜.05). However, there was no correlation between the measurement methods for arm girth, shoulder joint movement, and grip strength. Moreover, among patients who had objective findings, 50% to 78.1% did not have subjectively perceived symptoms, and among those who did not have objective findings, 11.4% to 34.7% had subjectively perceived symptoms. This indicates that it is necessary to use both subjective perception and objective assessment when assessing functional impairment of the arm following breast cancer surgery.
