The effect of education in upper extremity functions in patients with lymphedema after breast cancer treatment

Objective: In this study, patients with lymphedema after breast cancer treatment were carried out to assess the impact of education in the upper extremity functions.Method: 38 patients with lymphedema (LE) after breast cancer attended to the study. The patients were seperated in two groups. As group 1 (n=19) who were educated about what LE was and what risk factors (skin care, the situations that must be cared in daily life activities, exercises and protective clothes) were and as group 2 (n=19) who were standart treated (surgical, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy). To assess the range of motion of the upper extremity of the patients Universial gonyometer was used. To assess the shoulder functions Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionary (DASH) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were used. The measures were carried out once by the same physiotherapist. Chi Choire and Mann Whitney U test were used to analyze the data.Results: When compared the group 1 who were educated about LE were better than the other group in the point of the shoulder flexion range. When shoulder abduction, internal-external rotation, elbow flexion motions, DASH and SPADI index were compared any differences between two groups were not found. However, group 1 who were educated about LE were observed as better than the group second who were standart treated in the aspect of shoulder functions. There was not any difference between the groups when the severity of LE was compared.Conclusion: The patients who were educated were observed as better than the patients who were standart treated in the aspect of shoulder flexion motion. There were not seen any differences between two groups in the term of shoulder functions but, the patients who were educated about LE were in better condition than the others.