The effect of zaltoprofen on physiotherapy for limited shoulder movement in breast cancer patients: a single-blinded before-after trial.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of oral administration of zaltoprofen on shoulder range of motion (ROM) exercises for breast cancer patients after surgery.

DESIGN

Single-blind, before-after trial.

SETTING

Rehabilitation facility in a Japanese university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty breast cancer patients (age range, 37-72y) with limited shoulder movement after surgery.

INTERVENTION: Single session of physiotherapy (PT) with or without oral administration of zaltoprofen.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Active shoulder ROM in flexion, abduction, and external rotation, as well as subjective pain score during shoulder movements.

RESULTS

Active shoulder movements after ingesting a zaltoprofen tablet significantly improved in flexion, abduction (P<.001), and external rotation (P<.005). PT treatment improved flexion and abduction ROM in both the zaltoprofen and control groups and led to significantly larger flexion and abduction movements in the zaltoprofen group than in the control group (P<.01). There were no differences in pain scores between groups, but 2 patients who did not receive zaltoprofen complained of increased pain just after ROM exercises.

CONCLUSION

Zaltoprofen taken orally before ROM exercises for painful shoulder after breast cancer surgery may enhance the effects of PT.