Postoperative physical therapy of breast cancer surgery: focus on quality of life

Abstract

Introduction: Complications after surgery for breast cancer may determine negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and physical therapy is an important approach to prevent or treat such disorders. Objectives: To assess the QOL of women undergoing physical therapy after surgery for breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study involving retrospective medical records of 48 women who underwent 20 sessions of physiotherapy was conducted. The questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36 – Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was applied before and after physical therapy. To compare the scores was used Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p <0.05). Results: There was a significant improvement in the scores of the domains: functional limitations and limitation by physical aspects (p=0.009), pain (p=0.032), general health (p=0.003), social aspects (p=0.029) and limitation by emotional aspect (p=0.011). The vitality and mental health were not significantly different. Conclusion: Physical therapy improved the QOL of women after surgery for breast cancer.