Effectiveness of Myofascial Release Compared to Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Reducing Post-Treatment Shoulder Pain and Stiffness Among Patients Who Underwent Breast Cancer Surgery and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: Randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to adapt the myofascial release technique (MRT) in the form of massage, which will reduce pain and functional restriction of the shoulder joint compared to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).

METHODS

This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India from September 2021 to September 2023. The study population included 98 patients older than 18 years who underwent surgery/adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer and developed complications. Patients with tendon/muscle injuries in neck/skin conditions, which made MRT difficult, were excluded. A trained physiotherapist delivered the interventions. Patient pain, range of movements at shoulder joint, shoulder dysfunction and quality of life were assessed at the time of the first (T0) and fourth session (T1) and after one month of the completion of treatment (T2).

RESULTS

Compared to the MLD group, the MRT group experienced significant reduction in pain (7-3 versus 6-4; P < 0.001), improvement in the shoulder range of movement (ROM) (1000-1320 to 1140-1400 with P < 0.001), reduction in shoulder dysfunction (52-40; P < 0.001 versus 45-40; P < 0.001) and improved QOL (22 and 83.5-26 and 92; P < 0.001 versus 24 and 79-24 and 83; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of MRT for a reduction in postoperative pain, reduction in shoulder dysfunction and improvement in shoulder ROM is effective and can be proposed to be employed in routine practice for better QOL postoperatively.