Effects of Electrohydraulic Therapy of Shock Waves on Pain and Lymphedema Measurement Post-Radical Mastectomy
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Physiotherapy
Abstract
Background: Lymphedema post-mastectomy remains a challenging problem. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of shock wave electrohydraulic treatment (ESWT) for patients with pain and lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients (30 women) with pain & lymphedema post-radical mastectomy were evaluated to participate in this Clinical trial. They were recruited from the Minia Cancer Institute- Minia University and Deraya University outpatient clinics. Their ages varied between the ages of 40 and 50 years. They were divided into two groups. Group (1) 'Group of studies': 15 patients seeking ESWT in addition to conventional medical care. Group (2) 'Control group': 15 people seeking conventional medical care only. Patients of the study group (1) were treated with a number of impulses, at least 500 shocks at E2 at 4Hz (equivalent to 0.11mJ/mm square energy). Treatment sessions were delivered twice weekly for six treatments (3 weeks). The assessment used a Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and arm circumference midway between the shoulder and elbow for lymphedema measurement.Results: showed that (ESWT) on pain and lymphedema measurement post-radical mastectomy effectively decreased pain as evidenced by the highly significant decreases in the visual analogue scale. These results revealed a substantial VAS reduction (P<0.0001). Effects of the ESWT on lymphedema measurement via the arm circumference measurement at the point where the shoulder and the elbow meet post-radical mastectomy were investigated. These results revealed a notable reduction in the mean value of the arm circumference measurement (ACM) (P<0.0001). Conclusion: The significant reductions in VAS and assessment of the ACM arm range show that the ESWT, in addition to conventional therapy, significantly impacted upper limb structural components following radical mastectomy.
Description
Keywords
Shock waves, ESWT, Pain, Lymphedema, Arm circumference, Quality of life, Visual analogue scale.
Citation
Al-Kader Ahmed Mamdouh Abd, Mohamed Manar Samir, Abdelmohsen Sara, Elbedewy Mohamed Ahmed, Mahmoud Marwa Mahmoud Mahfouz, Mohamed Kamal Eldin S.. Effects of Electrohydraulic Therapy of Shock Waves on Pain and Lymphedema Measurement Post-Radical Mastectomy. International Journal of Physiotherapy. 2023 Apr; 10(2): 54-58