PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a rehabilitation program on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients. METHODS: The subjects included thirty-one patients with breast cancer (17 in the experimental group and 14 in the control group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of an exercise program, teaching, counseling and support for 2 sessions per week. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in flexion, internal rotation and external rotation but no significant increase in extension in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, and CD56 in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program. Compared to the control group, quality of life in the experimental group was significantly improved and fatigue in that group was significantly decreased after the rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: The 10-week rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical health, physiological indicators and quality of life in breast cancer mastectomy patients.
Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/rehabilitation/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mastectomy/psychology/*rehabilitation ; Middle Aged ; Patient Education as Topic ; Quality of Life

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 20 patients who received an early postmastectomy rehabilitation treatment program showed more improvement in range of shoulder motion and functional activities than 13 patients who received instruction for exercise only. Data were obtained at preoperatively, three days after operation, at discharge and at postdischarge one month for each patient on parameters such as range of motion of the ipsilateral shoulder joint, upper extremity circumferential measurements, as well as 10 elements of shoulder function. Postoperatively, both groups showed an increased range of motion of the shoulder joint and improved functional activities, but the group that received postoperative rehabilitation management had a better range of shoulder motion and less difficulty in five items for functional assessment. This study also showed that an early rehabilitation program did not increase postoperative complications. We concluded that an early rehabilitation program or intensive instruction program only by a well-trained physical therapist or physiatrist was beneficial to postmastectomy patients in regaining the function and range of shoulder motion, and significantly better in a rehabilitation group.
Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; Female ; Human ; Mastectomy/rehabilitation* ; Middle Age ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether early postmastectomy rehabilitation program could improve shoulder function and upper limb edema. METHOD: 40 patients who underwent either a breast conserving procedure or a modified radical mastectomy were included. Among 40 patients, 20 patients recieved early postmastectomy rehabilitation program and 20 patients were recieved only instruction for exercise. The patients were assessed on the three days after surgery and one month after surgery. The range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, pain on mobility of shoulder and arm circumference were evaluated. RESULTS: One month after surgery, both groups showed improvements in shoulder motion range, pain and edema. But there were significantly better in early rehabilitation group than control group (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that early postmastectomy rehabilitation program was beneficial in regaining the shoulder motion and in reduction of pain and edema.
Arm ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Edema ; Humans ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation* ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on grip strength, pinch strength, the shoulder joint function, flexibility, and fatigue in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects were fifty-five women with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of education, stress management, exercise, and peer support group activity. RESULTS: The results revealed that the increase in grip strength, key pinch, the shoulder joint function, and flexibility (Back & Reach test, Standing & Bending reach test) of the operated extremity, and the decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, the results revealed that tip strength and palmar pinch of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed much affirmative effect on physical function, and fatigue of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.
Breast Neoplasms ; Education ; Extremities ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Mastectomy* ; Pinch Strength ; Pliability ; Rehabilitation* ; Self-Help Groups ; Shoulder Joint

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on grip strength, pinch strength, the shoulder joint function, flexibility, and fatigue in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects were fifty-five women with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for 10 weeks, which was composed of education, stress management, exercise, and peer support group activity. RESULTS: The results revealed that the increase in grip strength, key pinch, the shoulder joint function, and flexibility (Back & Reach test, Standing & Bending reach test) of the operated extremity, and the decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, the results revealed that tip strength and palmar pinch of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed much affirmative effect on physical function, and fatigue of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.
Breast Neoplasms ; Education ; Extremities ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Mastectomy* ; Pinch Strength ; Pliability ; Rehabilitation* ; Self-Help Groups ; Shoulder Joint

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise using a flex band on the improvement of physical functions & body image in breast cancer women undergoing radiation therapy after a mastectomy. METHOD: Women with breast cancer(n = 26) were assigned to an experimental group(EG, n = 15) and control group(CG, n = 11). The E.G. participated in an aerobic exercise program with a 60% to 80% intensity of maximal heart rate for 25 minutes during the main exercise, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks. The EG did not exercise regularly for 3 months before participating in this program. The CG received no exercise treatment during the research period. Data were analyzed using the chi-square-test and Mann-Whitney U test by the SPSS version 11.0 program at a 5% significant level. RESULTS: Group analysis revealed that the EGwomen had significantly more improved cardiopulmonary functions, ROM of the affected shoulder joint, and body image compared to the CG. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise using a flex band may be an effective rehabilitative measure for mastectomy women with respect to cardio-pulmonary functions, ROM, & body image. Further studies are recommended to study early rehabilitation programs within 10 days post-operatively.
Adult ; *Body Image ; Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy/*rehabilitation/surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; *Mastectomy ; Middle Aged ; *Muscle Stretching Exercises/instrumentation ; Oximetry ; Program Evaluation ; *Range of Motion, Articular

The main objectives of the surgical treatment of intrahepatic stones are complete removal of the stones and correction of biliary stasis and strictures. Hepatic resection is expected to yield a most satisfactory treatment result by eradicating the stones and the strictured bile duct as well. To evaluate the effectiveness and the risk of hepatic resection, we reviewed 149 patients who underwent hepatic resection due to intrahepatic stones over a fourteen-year period and who were followed up. There were 48 males and 101 females, and ages ranged from 20 to 70 years. The stones were located in the left lobe in 96 patients, the right lobe in 13 patients, and both lobes in 40 patients. The operative procedures executed in the patients were 96 lateral segmentectomies, 33 left lobectomies, 14 right lobectomies, one extended right lobectomy, and five partial resections. Biliary drainage procedures were added in 40 patients. Postoperatively, retained stones were found in 24.2% of the patients which was lowered to 10.7% at the time of discharge with assistance of radiologic interventions. During follow-up over a mean period of 63 months, 93.2% of the patients showed good rehabilitation, and recurrent stones had developed in 5 patients (3.5%). Operative complications were biliay fistula in 10 patients, intra-abdominal abscess in seven patients, hepatic failure in two patients, and postoperative bleeding in one patient, and the overall operative mortality rate was 2.0%. We conclude that hepatic resection is a safe and satisfactory treatment option for patients with intrahepatic stones.
Abdominal Abscess ; Bile Ducts ; Cholestasis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Female ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; Male ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mortality ; Rehabilitation ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on physical function, immune response, fatigue and quality of life in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects included fifty-five patients with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for10 weeks, which was composed of 1 session of education, 2 sessions of stress management, 2 sessions of exercise, and 1 session of peer support group activity per week. RESULT: The results revealed anincrease in shoulder extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the affectedupper extremity, and in shoulder extension and abduction of the healthy upper extremity. Also an increase in quality of life and a decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. However, the results revealed that the natural killer cell ratio of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical function, fatigue and quality of life of breast cancer patients after a mastectomy.
Exercise Therapy ; Fatigue ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Mastectomy/psychology/*rehabilitation ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Patient Education as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Shoulder Joint/physiopathology ; Stress, Psychological/therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation program on physical function, immune response, fatigue and quality of life in mastectomy patients. METHOD: The subjects included fifty-five patients with breast cancer (27 in the control group and 28 in the experimental group). The subjects in the experimental group participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program for10 weeks, which was composed of 1 session of education, 2 sessions of stress management, 2 sessions of exercise, and 1 session of peer support group activity per week. RESULT: The results revealed anincrease in shoulder extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the affectedupper extremity, and in shoulder extension and abduction of the healthy upper extremity. Also an increase in quality of life and a decrease in fatigue were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. However, the results revealed that the natural killer cell ratio of the experimental group increased but there was no significant difference from that of the control group. CONCLUSION: The 10-week comprehensive rehabilitation program showed a large affirmative effect on physical function, fatigue and quality of life of breast cancer patients after a mastectomy.
Exercise Therapy ; Fatigue ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Mastectomy/psychology/*rehabilitation ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Patient Education as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Shoulder Joint/physiopathology ; Stress, Psychological/therapy

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the effects of abdominal breathing training using biofeedback on stress, immune response, and quality of life. METHOD: The study design was a nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest, quasi-experimental design. Twenty-five breast cancer patients who had completed adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled. The experimental group(n=12) was provided with abdominal breathing training using biofeedback once a week for 4 weeks. State anxiety, cancer physical symptoms, serum cortisol, T cell subsets(T3, T4, T8), NK cell and quality of life were measured both before and after the intervention. RESULT: Though state anxiety, cancer physical symptoms, and serum cortisol were reduced after 4 weeks of abdominal breathing training using biofeedback, there was no statistical significance. It showed, however, improvement in quality of life (p=.02), and T3(p=.04). CONCLUSION: Abdominal breathing training using biofeedback improves quality of life in breast cancer patients after a mastectomy. However, the mechanism of this beneficial effect and stress response requires further investigation with special consideration in subject selection and frequency of measurement. Nurses should consider this strategy as a standard nursing intervention for people living with cancer.
*T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; Stress, Psychological/psychology/therapy ; *Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; Mastectomy/*psychology/rehabilitation ; Hydrocortisone/blood ; Humans ; Female ; *Breathing Exercises ; Breast Neoplasms/immunology/*psychology/surgery ; *Biofeedback (Psychology) ; Adult