Background and Purpose:
Breast reduction surgery is a major procedure that can lead to post-operative pain, postural deviations, and a temporary decline in quality of life.This clinical study aims to investigate the efficacy of early-phase physical therapy on pain management, postural alignment, and overall quality of life in female patients following breast reduction surgery.
Study Design and Participants:
This is a controlled clinical trial involving 40 female participants aged 18 to 50 who have undergone their first breast reduction surgery. Participants are divided into two groups: an intervention group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The study follows a pre-test and post-test design to evaluate outcomes before and after a three-week intervention period.
Intervention Protocol:
The intervention group receives a comprehensive physical therapy program starting one week post-operation. The program is conducted three days a week for three weeks, with sessions lasting 40 to 60 minutes The protocol includes:
Postural and cervical exercises Scapular stabilization and manual therapy Scar massage and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as needed A structured home exercise program.
Outcome Measures:
Primary and secondary outcomes are assessed through various clinical tools:
Pain:Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Posture: New York Posture Test, measurements of scapular protraction and cervical anterior tilt Mobility:Shoulder and cervical Range of Motion (ROM) Quality of Life and Health: SF-12, BREAST-Q, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Expected Results:
The study anticipates that the early-phase physical therapy group will demonstrate a significant reduction in pain, improved postural alignment, and a higher quality of life compared to the control group.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Oncological History:
Those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the pre-operative or per-operative period, or those with a history of radiotherapy/chemotherapy to the breast area,
Lymphovenous Disorders: Those with lymphedema in the upper extremity or vascular insufficiency that may severely affect lymphatic drainage,
Musculoskeletal and Nervous System Pathologies: Those with orthopedic diseases such as severe scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, or neurological diseases such as brachial plexus lesions that may affect posture analysis and shoulder mobility,
Systemic Diseases: Those with uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus, which directly negatively affects wound healing, or those with active autoimmune connective tissue diseases,
Exercise Contraindications: Patients with cardiopulmonary failure or severe cognitive impairment that would prevent participation in the physiotherapy protocol.
Exercise programme
No intervention.
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
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