The Effect of Myofascial Release Exercises on Viscoelastic Changes of the Pectoralis Major Muscle, Pain, Range of Motion and Shoulder Functionality in Individuals Receiving Adjuvant Radiotherapy After Breast Cancer Surgery

The Effect of Myofascial Release Exercises on Viscoelastic Changes of the Pectoralis Major Muscle

Chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer try to prevent the recurrence of cancer. In addition to the benefits of radiotherapy, such as a decrease in recurrence and an increase in long-term survival, it may have side effects that may affect the well-being and daily life activities of patients. One of the treatment modalities used to cope with treatment-related side effects is myofascial release exercises. Myofascial release exercises can help reduce adhesions caused by scar tissue and fibrosis caused by radiation. In the literature, there is no study investigating the effect of myofascial release exercises on pectoralis major muscle viscoelastic structure. For this purpose, our study aims to investigate the effect of myofascial release exercises performed in addition to home exercise programme on pectoralis major muscle viscoelastic structure, pain, range of motion and shoulder functionality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• -Stage I-II-III defined by radiation oncologists after breast cancer surgery and who will start radiotherapy
• Breast conserving surgery or total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection during surgery
• No neurological or orthopaedic problems that may limit the range of motion of the shoulder joint in the preoperative evaluations,
• Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous breast clamp surgery on the same side or contralateral side,
• With a metastatic cancer focus,
• Post-surgical resistance, infection and open wound, pacemaker,
• Patients with a Mini Mental State Examination test score of less than 21 will be excluded from the study.