Effectiveness of a multidimensional physical therapy program on pain, pressure hypersensitivity, and trigger points in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Serious adverse events associated with conservative physical procedures directed towards the cervical spine: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Previous reviews on serious adverse events (SAEs) following physical interventions involving the neck have focused on vascular SAEs or those related to cervical manipulation.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence for all serious adverse events associated with any physical cervical procedures and describe SAE characteristics.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and Index to Chiropractic Literature from inception to May 2023 for studies reporting characteristics of SAE following any neck intervention and patient demographics.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty-three studies describing 334 SAE cases were identified. Forty-one were reported in the last 5 years. The results confirmed findings of past reviews with most events being vascular (58%) and mainly arterial dissection or vertebral artery related and the majority involving manipulation (75%). However lesser-known SAES ie neurological (25%), combined vascular/neurological (12%) and others (5%) which included cases such as cerebrospinal fluid leaks, phrenic nerve palsies and retinal detachments were identified. Further, some followed procedures such as vestibular testing, gentle mobilization, exercises, acupuncture or even massage. Initial symptoms included sharp increases in headache/neck pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and altered sensation, during treatment or within 48 h, often preceding neurological signs. Most recovered favourably (62%), 16% with disability, 6% died, the rest were unspecified.

CONCLUSION

Most SAEs were vascular and associated with manipulation but awareness of potential neurological and orthopaedic injuries and other procedures should be raised. Monitoring for early signs of SAEs for up to 48 h post-intervention is advisable if a SAE is suspected.

Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Improves Body Composition, Alters Cardiometabolic Risk, and Ameliorates Cancer-Related Indicators in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors with Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Breast cancer survivors with obesity are at a high risk of cancer recurrence, comorbidity, and mortality. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on body composition, lipid homeostasis, inflammation, adipokines, cancer-related fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors with overweight/obesity. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases from inception up to January 8, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess eligible studies, and the GRADE method to evaluate the quality of evidence. A random-effects model was used, and data were analyzed using mean (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the data for risk of bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, reporting bias, and quality of evidence. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review involving 1,148 female patients and survivors (mean age: 54.0 ± 3.4 years). The primary outcomes showed significant improvements in body mass index (SMD -0.57 kg/m2, p = 0.04), body fat (SMD -0.50%, p = 0.02), fat mass (SMD -0.63 kg, p = 0.04), hip circumference (MD -3.14 cm, p = 0.02), and fat-free mass (SMD 1.03 kg, p < 0.001). The secondary outcomes indicated significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD -0.05 mmol/L, p = 0.008), natural killer cells (SMD 0.42%, p = 0.04), reductions in triglycerides (MD -81.90 mg/dL, p < 0.01), total cholesterol (SMD -0.95 mmol/L, p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor α (SMD -0.89 pg/mL, p = 0.03), and leptin (SMD -0.63 ng/mL, p = 0.03). Also, beneficial alterations were found in cancer-related fatigue (SMD -0.98, p = 0.03), sleep (SMD -1.17, p < 0.001), and quality of life (SMD 2.94, p = 0.02) scores. There was very low to low confidence in the estimated effect of most of the outcomes. The present findings reveal that CART could be considered an adjunct therapy in supporting the conventional clinical approach observed following exercise. However, further high-quality research is needed to evaluate whether CART would be a valuable intervention to lower aggressive pharmacologic use in breast cancer patients with overweight/obesity.

Effect of perceived injustice-targeted pain neuroscience education compared with biomedically focused education in breast cancer survivors: a study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (BCS-PI trial)

INTRODUCTION

Current treatments for pain in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are mostly biomedically focused rather than biopsychosocially driven. However, 22% of BCSs with pain are experiencing perceived injustice, which is a known predictor for adverse pain outcomes and opioid prescription due to increased maladaptive pain behaviour. Educational interventions such as pain neuroscience education (PNE) are suggested to target perceived injustice. In addition, motivational interviewing can be an effective behavioural change technique. This trial aims to examine whether perceived injustice-targeted PNE with the integration of motivational interviewing is superior to biomedically focused pain education in reducing pain after 12 months in BCS with perceived injustice and pain. In addition, improvements in quality of life, perceived injustice and opioid use are evaluated, and a cost-effectiveness analysis will finally result in a recommendation concerning the use of perceived injustice-targeted PNE in BCSs with perceived injustice and pain.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This two-arm multicentre randomised controlled trial will recruit female BCS (n=156) with pain and perceived injustice. Participants will be randomly assigned to perceived injustice-targeted PNE or biomedically focused pain education in each centre. Both interventions include an online session, an information leaflet and three one-to-one sessions. The primary outcome (pain), secondary outcomes (quality of life, perceived injustice and outcomes for cost-effectiveness analysis) and explanatory outcomes (pain phenotyping, sleep, fatigue and cognitive-emotional factors) will be assessed at baseline and at 0, 6, 12 and 24 months postintervention using self-reported questionnaires online. Treatment effects over time will be evaluated using linear mixed model analyses. Additionally, a cost-utility analysis will be done from a healthcare payer and societal perspective.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The ethical agreement was obtained from the Main Ethics Committee (B.U.N.1432020000068) at the University Hospital Brussels and all other participating hospitals. Study results will be disseminated through presentations, conferences, social media, press and journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04730154.

Persistent pain management in an oncology population through pain neuroscience education, a multimodal program: PaiNEd randomized clinical trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Pain is one of the most persistent symptoms after cancer treatment. The central nervous system can erroneously stay in its alarm phase, altering the pain experience of patients who have cancer. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) with multimodal approaches may benefit these patients.

OBJECTIVE

This protocol aims to determine the effectiveness of a PNE tool on pain, physical function and quality of life, as a supplement to a multimodal rehabilitation (MR) program in patients who had breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

An 8-week double-blinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted, including 72 participants who had BC and who have persistent pain, randomized into three groups: PNE program + MR program, traditional biomedical information + MR program and control group. The PNE program will include educational content that participants will learn through a mobile app and the MR program will include a concurrent exercise program and manual therapy. The primary outcome will be the perceived pain assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale and secondary outcomes are others related to pain, physical function and quality of life. All outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, at the end of the intervention and 6 months after the end of intervention.

DISCUSSION

The proposed study may help BC patients with persistent pain improve their pain experience, quality of life and provide for more adaptive pain-coping strategies. This protocol could propose an action guide to implement different integral approaches for the treatment of sequelae. This treatment option could be offered to this patient profile and it could be easily implemented in the healthcare systems due to its low costs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04877860. (February18, 2022).

The role of exercise for pain management in adults living with and beyond cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common side effect of cancer or cancer treatment that negatively impacts biopsychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. Exercise is a potential intervention to manage pain that is safe and has multiple benefits. The objective was to determine the role of exercise in cancer pain management.

METHODS

We completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise interventions in adults with any type or stage of cancer by searching Ovid MEDLINE®, Embase, APA PsycInfo, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. We included experimental and quasi-experimental designs where pain was measured as an outcome. Data synthesis included narrative and tabular summary. A meta-analysis was performed on studies powered to detect the effect of exercise on pain. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE tool.

RESULTS

Seventy-six studies were included. Studies were predominantly conducted in breast cancer and exercise usually included a combination of aerobic and strength training. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis demonstrating a significant effect for exercise in decreasing pain (estimated average standard mean difference (SMD) was g =  - 0.73 (95% CI: - 1.16 to - 0.30)); however, the overall effect prediction interval was large. Overall risk of bias for most studies was rated as some concerns and the grading of evidence certainty was low.

CONCLUSION

There are limitations in the evidence for exercise to manage cancer-related pain. Further research is needed to understand the role of exercise in a multimodal pain management strategy.

Respiratory Physiotherapy Intervention Strategies in the Sequelae of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer treatments can trigger respiratory sequelae. Respiratory physiotherapy helps to eliminate or mitigate the sequelae by optimizing respiratory function. This systematic review aims to synthesize the scientific evidence and assess its quality regarding the use of respiratory physiotherapy in the sequelae of breast cancer. The Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Literature Complete, and Scopus were searched. Study quality was determined using the PEDro scale, STROBE Statement, and Single-Case Experimental Design Scale. Ten studies, six clinical trials, one case study, and three observational studies were selected. The mean methodological quality of the clinical trials was 5.6, that of the case study was 7, and that of the observational studies was 56%. Respiratory physiotherapy has been observed to improve respiratory capacity, lung function, respiratory muscle strength, effort tolerance, dyspnea, fatigue, thoracic mobility, upper limb volume, sleep quality and quality of life, as well as sensitivity to adverse physiological reactions, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. However, it is not effective for vasomotor symptoms. More clinical trials are needed. These studies should homogenize the techniques used, as well as improve their methodological quality.

Absolute and relative reliability of a comprehensive quantitative sensory testing protocol in women treated for breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) are non-invasive psychophysical assessment techniques to evaluate functioning of the somatosensory nervous system. Despite the importance of reliability for correct use of QST results in research and clinical practice, the relative and absolute intra-and inter-rater reliability of a comprehensive QST protocol to evaluate the functioning of both peripheral and central somatosensory nervous system in a breast cancer population, has not yet been investigated.

SETTING

University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.

SUBJECTS

Thirty women at least six months after unilateral breast cancer surgery.

METHODS

The protocol included nine static and dynamic QST methods (mechanical detection-pain thresholds, pressure pain thresholds, thermal detection-pain thresholds for heat and cold, temporal summation and conditioned pain modulation (CPM)) performed in the surgical area and more distant regions. Absolute and relative intra (60-minutes interval) and inter-rater (one-week interval) reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients, standard error of measurement and Bland-Altman plots.

RESULTS

A moderate to excellent relative intra- and inter-rater reliability was found for the evaluation of mechanical thresholds, pressure pain thresholds and temporal summation. Reliability of the CPM paradigm was considered weak. Systematic bias between raters was noticed for detection of mechanical and cold stimuli at the non-affected trunk and CPM.

CONCLUSIONS

Except for the evaluation of CPM, the QST protocol was found suitable for identifying differences between subjects (relative reliability) and individual follow-up after breast cancer surgery (limited systematic bias) during a one-week timeframe. Additional research is required to determine measurement properties that influence CPM test stability in order to establish a more reliable CPM test paradigm.

Signs of Central Hypersensitivity, Stress, and Anxiety following Treatment for Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study

Background

With treatment for breast cancer, women treated may present significant sensory abnormalities in the upper extremity. However, there are no conclusive studies that have evaluated pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the shoulder of postoperated women for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to compare PPT in the shoulder, stress, anxiety, depression symptoms, and quality of sleep among postoperated women for breast cancer (PO group) and asymptomatic women of shoulder pain (control group).

Methods

40 women participated (n = 20, PO group, age: average ± standard deviation, 49.2 ± 8.3 years; body mass index (BMI): 27.5 ± 3.0 kg/cm²; surgery time: 22.2 ± 34.4 months; n = 20, control group, 46.9 ± 8.1 years; BMI: 26.8 ± 3.5 kg/cm²). The PPT was evaluated with a digital algometer at 32 points in the shoulder region and one control point in the tibialis anterior. Stress, anxiety, and depression were evaluated with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and the quality of sleep by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Results

Significant differences were observed over 1.5 kgf/cm² in 33 points evaluated (p < 0.01) with a small to high effect size (Cliff's delta range = 0.16; 0.92) and higher levels of anxiety and stress in the PO group (anxiety: median [first; third quartile], 5[3; 12.5]; stress: 9.7 ± 4.7 (7.8; 11.8)) in comparison with the control group (anxiety: 2.5[1; 4.8]; stress: 6.7 ± 3.31 (5.2; 8.3), (p < 0.05)). No significant differences were found between the groups in depression and sleep quality (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Postoperated women for breast cancer present hyperalgesia in the shoulder anterior and posterior region, low PPT in the tibialis anterior, and higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to the control group.

The effect of exercise intensity on exercise-induced hypoalgesia in cancer survivors: A randomized crossover trial

Pain is experienced by people with cancer during treatment and in survivorship. Exercise can have an acute hypoalgesic effect (exercise-induced hypoalgesia; EIH) in healthy individuals and some chronic pain states. However, EIH, and the moderating effect of exercise intensity, has not been investigated in cancer survivors. This study examined the effect of low- and high-intensity aerobic exercise on EIH in cancer survivors after a single exercise session as well as a brief period of exercise training (2-weeks, three exercise sessions per week). Participants (N = 19) were randomized to low- (30%-40% Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) or high- (60%-70% HRR) intensity stationary cycling for 15-20 min. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over the rectus femoris and biceps brachii before and after a single exercise session and again after a short training period at the assigned intensity. Then, following a 6-week washout period, the intervention was repeated at the other intensity. After the first exercise session, high-intensity exercise resulted in greater EIH over the rectus femoris than low intensity (mean difference ± SE: -0.51 kg/cm2  ± 0.15, Cohen's d = 0.78, p = 0.004). After a 2-week training period, we found no difference in EIH between intensities (0.01 kg/cm2  ± 0.25, d = 0.00 p = 0.99), with comparable moderate effect sizes for both low- and high-intensity exercise, indicative of EIH. No EIH was observed over the biceps brachii of the arm at either low or high intensity. Low-intensity exercise training may be a feasible option to increase pain thresholds in cancer survivors.

Criteria Used for the Diagnosis of Myofascial Trigger Points in Clinical Trials on Physical Therapy: Updated Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to conduct an updated systematic review of diagnostic criteria for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) used in clinical trials of physical therapy interventions from 2007 to 2019.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched using the following MeSH keywords: "trigger points," "trigger point," "myofascial trigger point," "myofascial trigger points," "myofascial pain," and "myofascial pain syndrome." The MeSH keywords were combined by using Boolean operators "OR"/"AND." All physiotherapy clinical trials including patients with musculoskeletal conditions characterized by at least 1 active MTrP or latent MTrP in any body area were selected. We pooled data from an individual criterion and criteria combinations used to diagnose MTrPs. The protocol was developed in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 478 possibly relevant publications, 198 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 198 studies, 129 studies (65.1%) stated specifically the diagnostic criteria used for MTrPs in the main text, 56 studies (28.3%) failed to report any method whereby MTrP was diagnosed, and 13 studies (6.6%) adopted expert-based definitions for MTrPs without specification. Of 129 studies, the 6 criteria applied most commonly were: "spot tenderness" (n=125, 96.9%), "referred pain" (95, 73.6%), "local twitch response" (63, 48.8%), pain recognition (59, 45.7%), limited range of motion" (29, 22.5%), and "jump sign" (10, 7.8%). Twenty-three combinations of diagnostic criteria were identified. The most frequently used combination was "spot tenderness," "referred pain," and "local twitch response" (n=28 studies, 22%).

CONCLUSIONS

A number of the included studies failed in properly reporting the MTrP diagnostic criteria. Moreover, high variability in the use of MTrP diagnostic was also observed. Spot tenderness, referred pain, and local twitch response were the 3 most popular criteria (and the most frequently used combination). A lack of transparency in the reporting of MTrP diagnostic criteria is present in the literature.

REGISTRY

This systematic review was registered under the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, PROSPERO number: CRD42018087420.

Effects of a Single Myofascial Induction Session on Neural Mechanosensitivity in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Analysis of a Crossover Study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of myofascial induction on mechanosensitivity of upper limb nerves.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 21 breast cancer survivors with stage I-IIIA cancer were randomly allocated to an experimental group (30 minutes of myofascial induction session) or placebo control group (unplugged pulsed 30 minutes of shortwave therapy), with a 4-week washout period between sessions that occurred in a physical therapy laboratory in the Health Science Faculty (University of Granada, Spain). Range of motion (universal goniometry), structural differentiation, symptoms (yes/no), and pressure pain thresholds (electronic algometry) were assessed during neurodynamic tests and attitude toward massage scale as covariate.

RESULTS

An analysis of covariance revealed significant time × group interactions for range of motion in affected upper limb nerves (median, P < .001; radial, P = .036; ulnar, P = .002), but not for nonaffected upper limb nerves (median, P = .083; radial, P = .072; ulnar, P = .796). A χ2 or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, also revealed a significant difference (P = .044) in sensitivity for the affected upper limb ulnar nerve in the experimental group, whereas the rest of the assessed nerves (affected and nonaffected upper limb nerves) showed no significant changes in either the experimental or control groups (P > .05). An analysis of covariance revealed no significant interactions on pressure pain thresholds over the nerves for affected (all P > .05) and nonaffected (all P > .05) upper limb nerves.

CONCLUSION

A single myofascial induction session may partially improve mechanosensitivity of median, radial, and ulnar nerves and yield positive effects on symptom mechanosensitivity, especially regarding the ulnar nerve in breast cancer survivors.

Circulatory and ventilatory power in diabetic patients: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Circulatory (CP) and ventilatory power (VP) have been used to improve the prognostic accuracy of cardiopulmonary exercise tests in cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease. However, the effects of combined resistance and aerobic exercise program on VP and CP, especially in type 2 diabetes patients, have not been adequately investigated. Thus, this new parameter can be useful to prescribe exercise programs more assertive for this population. The present study aimed to assess the effect of 3 months of combined resistance and aerobic exercise training (CET) on CP and VP in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 48 diabetic patients with an average age of 52.4 (±8.01) years old. The subjects were randomized into two groups: sedentary (SG, n = 15) and the CET group (n = 19). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (symptom-limited incremental) was performed on a cycle ergometer, and the following parameters were measured: relative VO₂ , V_E /VCO₂ slope, linear relationship between oxygen uptake and minute ventilation, and VCO₂ . CET was performed with 30-min aerobic and 30-min resistance exercises three times a week for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Significant (p < .05) and clinical (d ≥ .80) differences were observed that favoured CET compared with SG for the following variables: heart rate, workload, VO₂ relative peak, circulatory power peak, and VCO₂ peak. Although no statistical difference was observed for ventilatory power, there was a clinical difference (p > .05 and d ≥ 0.80) that favoured CET.

CONCLUSION

Three months of combined exercise training improved VP and CP indices in patients with type 2 diabetes when compared with a sedentary group.

How Theory Can Help Facilitate Implementing Relaxation as a Complementary Pain Management Approach

Complementary therapies provide cancer survivors and clinicians with options for managing chronic pain. Recent published clinical guidelines and research findings support the use of relaxation therapy for managing chronic pain in cancer survivors. However, translating research findings into clinical practice remains a challenge. Using theory to guide implementation of a new practice can increase the likelihood of successful adoption. This article uses relaxation therapy for cancer survivors to describe how clinicians could use Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the related Collaborative Research Utilization Model to implement a complementary therapy and ensure that it becomes standard practice.

Myofascial component of cancer pain review

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common complaint of cancer patients, experienced by 38%-85% of patients. Some studies have shown a high incidence of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in cancer patients.

AIMS

1) To estimate the prevalence of MPS in cancer patients; 2) to examine the efficacy of current treatment options for MPS in cancer patients.

METHODS

Narrative review. PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception until November 2017, for the keywords: cancer; cancer pain; breast cancer; mastectomy; lumpectomy; myofascial pain; trigger points. Trials of any methodological quality were included. All published material with an emphasis on randomized control trials was analyzed.

RESULTS

MPS is prevalent in cancer patients who suffer from pain, with a prevalence of between 11.9% and 44.8% in those diagnosed either with neck or head or breast cancer. Clinical studies showed conflicting results. Four interventional studies found that specific treatment for MPS may reduce the prevalence of active myofascial trigger points and therefore decrease pain level, sensitivity, and improve range of motion (in shoulder) in cancer patients. Two recent randomized control trials showed that pressure release of trigger points provides no additional beneficial effects to a standard physical therapy program for upper limb pain and function after breast cancer surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend including the evaluation of myofascial pain in routine clinical examination of cancer patients suffering from pain. Future studies are needed to investigate the long- and short-term effect of MPS treatments in cancer patients.

Comparisons and correlations of pain intensity and respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in the pre- and postoperative periods of cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate respiratory and peripheral muscle strength after cardiac surgery. Additionally, we compared the changes in these variables on the third and sixth postoperative days.

METHODS

Forty-six patients were recruited, including 17 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 60.50 years (SD = 9.20). Myocardial revascularization surgery was performed in 36 patients, replacement of the aortic valve in 5 patients, and replacement of the mitral valve in 5 patients.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in respiratory and peripheral muscle strength and a significant increase in pain intensity were observed on the third and sixth postoperative days (p < 0.05), except for the variable maximal inspiratory pressure; on the sixth postoperative day, maximal inspiratory pressure values were already similar to the preoperative and predicted values (p > 0.05). There was an association between peripheral muscle strength, specifically between maximal expiratory pressure preoperatively (rs = 0.383; p = 0.009), on the third postoperative day (rs = 0.468; p = 0.001) and on the sixth postoperative day (rs = 0.311; p = 0.037). The effect sizes were consistently moderate-to-large for respiratory muscle strength, the Medical Research Council scale and the visual analog scale, in particular between preoperative assessment and the sixth postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

There is a decrease in respiratory and peripheral muscle strength after cardiac surgery. In addition, maximal expiratory pressure is the variable that is most associated with peripheral muscle strength. These variables, especially respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, should be considered by professionals working in the intensive care setting.

New perspectives on dry needling following a medical model: are we screening our patients sufficiently?

Myofascial trigger points are not an isolated neuromusculoskeletal phenomenon and have been implicated in systemic, visceral, and metabolic pathology, as a side effect of some medications and in the presence of psychological risk factors. This complexity can complicate adequate screening of patients prior to choosing dry needling as a treatment intervention. Regardless of whether clinicians practice in a direct access setting, they should be cognizant of medical conditions, comorbidities, and risk factors that will influence clinical decisions for dry-needling appropriateness, technique chosen, and potential adverse responses to treatment. Of primary concern are conditions that can either manifest with myalgia and/or myopathy or masquerade as a more common musculoskeletal condition. This clinical commentary reviews system-specific considerations and other common disorders that should be screened for and discusses not only whether dry needling is appropriate but comments on technique and dosage considerations when initiating dry needling.

Reduction in handgrip strength and electromyographic activity in women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer survivors have side effects from surgical treatment and adjuvant that may acutely or chronically compromise the musculoskeletal system, resulting in loss of muscle strength.

OBJECTIVE

Handgrip strength and electromyography of the upper limbs and its relationship with dominance in women submitted to surgery for breast cancer.

METHODS

Were evaluated 28 women. The handgrip strength was measured through dynamometer associated with electromyographic, in the muscles: descending trapezius, biceps brachial, triceps brachial, extensor carpi ulnaris, radial extensor carpi and superficial flexor of wrist and fingers.

RESULTS

Reduction in grip strength on the side affected by the surgery, that occurred when the surgery was performed on the non-dominant side. The electromyographic showed significant differences in affected side. This shows the need to consider the affected side by surgery and dominance.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased grip strength and lower electromyographic activity of upper limb affected by surgery for breast cancer, when the side affected was not the dominant this loss was greater.

Interventions for promoting habitual exercise in people living with and beyond cancer

BACKGROUND

This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in the Cochrane Library 2013, Issue 9. Despite good evidence for the health benefits of regular exercise for people living with or beyond cancer, understanding how to promote sustainable exercise behaviour change in sedentary cancer survivors, particularly over the long term, is not as well understood. A large majority of people living with or recovering from cancer do not meet current exercise recommendations. Hence, reviewing the evidence on how to promote and sustain exercise behaviour is important for understanding the most effective strategies to ensure benefit in the patient population and identify research gaps.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions designed to promote exercise behaviour in sedentary people living with and beyond cancer and to address the following secondary questions: Which interventions are most effective in improving aerobic fitness and skeletal muscle strength and endurance? Which interventions are most effective in improving exercise behaviour amongst patients with different cancers? Which interventions are most likely to promote long-term (12 months or longer) exercise behaviour? What frequency of contact with exercise professionals and/or healthcare professionals is associated with increased exercise behaviour? What theoretical basis is most often associated with better behavioural outcomes? What behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are most often associated with increased exercise behaviour? What adverse effects are attributed to different exercise interventions?

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We updated our 2013 Cochrane systematic review by updating the searches of the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, CINAHL, PsycLIT/PsycINFO, SportDiscus and PEDro up to May 2018. We also searched the grey literature, trial registries, wrote to leading experts in the field and searched reference lists of included studies and other related recent systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an exercise intervention with usual care or 'waiting list' control in sedentary people over the age of 18 with a homogenous primary cancer diagnosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

In the update, review authors independently screened all titles and abstracts to identify studies that might meet the inclusion criteria, or that could not be safely excluded without assessment of the full text (e.g. when no abstract is available). We extracted data from all eligible papers with at least two members of the author team working independently (RT, LS and RG). We coded BCTs according to the CALO-RE taxonomy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane's tool for assessing risk of bias. When possible, and if appropriate, we performed a fixed-effect meta-analysis of study outcomes. If statistical heterogeneity was noted, a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. For continuous outcomes (e.g. cardiorespiratory fitness), we extracted the final value, the standard deviation (SD) of the outcome of interest and the number of participants assessed at follow-up in each treatment arm, to estimate the standardised mean difference (SMD) between treatment arms. SMD was used, as investigators used heterogeneous methods to assess individual outcomes. If a meta-analysis was not possible or was not appropriate, we narratively synthesised studies. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach with the GRADE profiler.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 23 studies in this review, involving a total of 1372 participants (an addition of 10 studies, 724 participants from the original review); 227 full texts were screened in the update and 377 full texts were screened in the original review leaving 35 publications from a total of 23 unique studies included in the review. We planned to include all cancers, but only studies involving breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancer met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen studies incorporated a target level of exercise that could meet current recommendations for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (i.e.150 minutes per week); or resistance exercise (i.e. strength training exercises at least two days per week).Adherence to exercise interventions, which is crucial for understanding treatment dose, is still reported inconsistently. Eight studies reported intervention adherence of 75% or greater to an exercise prescription that met current guidelines. These studies all included a component of supervision: in our analysis of BCTs we designated these studies as 'Tier 1 trials'. Six studies reported intervention adherence of 75% or greater to an aerobic exercise goal that was less than the current guideline recommendations: in our analysis of BCTs we designated these studies as 'Tier 2 trials.' A hierarchy of BCTs was developed for Tier 1 and Tier 2 trials, with programme goal setting, setting of graded tasks and instruction of how to perform behaviour being amongst the most frequent BCTs. Despite the uncertainty surrounding adherence in some of the included studies, interventions resulted in improvements in aerobic exercise tolerance at eight to 12 weeks (SMD 0.54, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.70; 604 participants, 10 studies; low-quality evidence) versus usual care. At six months, aerobic exercise tolerance was also improved (SMD 0.56, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.72; 591 participants; 7 studies; low-quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Since the last version of this review, none of the new relevant studies have provided additional information to change the conclusions. We have found some improved understanding of how to encourage previously inactive cancer survivors to achieve international physical activity guidelines. Goal setting, setting of graded tasks and instruction of how to perform behaviour, feature in interventions that meet recommendations targets and report adherence of 75% or more. However, long-term follow-up data are still limited, and the majority of studies are in white women with breast cancer. There are still a considerable number of published studies with numerous and varied issues related to high risk of bias and poor reporting standards. Additionally, the meta-analyses were often graded as consisting of low- to very low-certainty evidence. A very small number of serious adverse effects were reported amongst the studies, providing reassurance exercise is safe for this population.

Pressure Pain Phenotypes in Women Before Breast Cancer Treatment

OBJECTIVES

To explore associations between quantitative sensory testing (QST) and pretreatment pain, physical, and psychological characteristics in women with breast cancer.

SAMPLE & SETTING

41 women with treatment-naive stage 0-III breast cancer at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor.

METHODS & VARIABLES

Participants completed self-report surveys and QST within the month before breast surgery. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured bilaterally at each trapezius with a manual QST algometer. PPT values were split, yielding low, moderate, and high pain sensitivity subgroups. Subgroup self-reported characteristics were compared using Spearman's correlation, chi-square, and one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Lower PPT (higher sensitivity) was associated with higher levels of pain interference and maladaptive pain cognitions. The high-sensitivity group reported higher pain severities, interference, and catastrophizing and lower belief in internal locus of pain control than the low-sensitivity group.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Individualized interventions for maladaptive pain cognitions before surgery may reduce pain sensitivity and the severity of chronic pain developed after surgery.

Changes in Pain and Muscle Architecture in Colon Cancer Survivors After a Lumbopelvic Exercise Program: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of an eight-week lumbopelvic stabilization program (CO-CUIDATE) for colon cancer survivors.

Design

A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Settings

A blinded, trained researcher performed the end point assessments for pain (Pressure Pain Threshold and Brief Pain Inventory) and muscle architecture (ultrasound imaging measurements).

Subjects

Forty-six colon cancer survivors who were assigned to the CO-CUIDATE group or usual care group.

Methods

The CO-CUIDATE program was conducted for eight weeks. A trained researcher who was blinded to patient group performed the assessments. The tests were carried out with multiple observations. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed.

Results

The program had an adherence rate of 88.36% and two dropouts (10.5%). The participants reported some minor side effects during the first exercise sessions. The analysis revealed significant differences in the group x time interactions for the lumbar side (dominant: F = 3.1, P  < 0.001; nondominant: F = 3.0, P  = 0.01) and the infra-umbilical dominant side (F = 1.2, P  = 0.04) after the program and at the six-month follow-up and for the internal oblique thickness (F = 5.1, P  = 0.030) after the program. The experimental group experienced a greater improvement in all values after the program compared with the control group. There were no significant changes in the other pressure pain threshold points, pain severity, interference of pain, or the remaining ultrasound imaging measurements.

Conclusion

The CO-CUIDATE program is effective for improving the musculoskeletal conditions related to the lumbopelvic area in colon cancer survivors, specifically in relation to pain and the internal oblique thickness.

Nonpharmacologic Pain Interventions: A Review of Evidence-Based Practices for Reducing Chronic Cancer Pain

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common issue for patients with cancer and can be challenging to manage effectively. Healthcare professionals need to be knowledgeable about evidence-based nonpharmacologic interventions.
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OBJECTIVES

This systematic review critically appraises the strength and quality of the empirical evidence for nonpharmacologic interventions in reducing chronic cancer pain.
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METHODS

Intervention studies were critically appraised and summarized by an Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice team of RNs, advanced practice nurses, and nurse scientists. A level of evidence and a practice recommendation was assigned to each intervention.
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FINDINGS

Based on evidence, recommended interventions to reduce chronic cancer pain are celiac plexus block for pain related to pancreatic and abdominal cancers and radiation therapy for bone pain. Although psychoeducational interventions are considered likely to be effective, the effective components of these interventions and their dose and duration need to be determined through additional research.

Physical activity for women with breast cancer after adjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer may experience short- and long-term disease and treatment-related adverse physiological and psychosocial outcomes. These outcomes can negatively impact prognosis, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and psychosocial and physical function. Physical activity may help to improve prognosis and may alleviate the adverse effects of adjuvant therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess effects of physical activity interventions after adjuvant therapy for women with breast cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group (CBCG) Specialised Registry, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, on 18 September 2015. We also searched OpenGrey and Healthcare Management Information Consortium databases.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We searched for randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing physical activity interventions versus control (e.g. usual or standard care, no physical activity, no exercise, attention control, placebo) after adjuvant therapy (i.e. after completion of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, but not hormone therapy) in women with breast cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data. We contacted trial authors to ask for additional information when needed. We calculated an overall effect size with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome and used GRADE to assess the quality of evidence for the most important outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 63 trials that randomised 5761 women to a physical activity intervention (n = 3239) or to a control (n = 2524). The duration of interventions ranged from 4 to 24 months, with most lasting 8 or 12 weeks (37 studies). Twenty-eight studies included aerobic exercise only, 21 involved aerobic exercise and resistance training, and seven used resistance training only. Thirty studies described the comparison group as usual or standard care, no intervention, or control. One-fifth of studies reported at least 20% intervention attrition and the average physical activity adherence was approximately 77%.No data were available on effects of physical activity on breast cancer-related and all-cause mortality, or on breast cancer recurrence. Analysis of immediately postintervention follow-up values and change from baseline to end of intervention scores revealed that physical activity interventions resulted in significant small-to-moderate improvements in HRQoL (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.39, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.57, 22 studies, 1996 women; SMD 0.78, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.17, 14 studies, 1459 women, respectively; low-quality evidence), emotional function (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.32, 26 studies, 2102 women, moderate-quality evidence; SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.53, 15 studies, 1579 women, respectively; low-quality evidence), perceived physical function (SMD 0.33, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.49, 25 studies, 2129 women; SMD 0.60, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97, 13 studies, 1433 women, respectively; moderate-quality evidence), anxiety (SMD -0.57, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.19, 7 studies, 326 women; SMD -0.37, 95% CI -0.63 to -0.12, 4 studies, 235 women, respectively; low-quality evidence), and cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.58, 23 studies, 1265 women, moderate-quality evidence; SMD 0.83, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.27, 9 studies, 863 women, respectively; very low-quality evidence).Investigators reported few minor adverse events.Small improvements in physical activity interventions were sustained for three months or longer postintervention in fatigue (SMD -0.43, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.26; SMD -0.47, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.11, respectively), cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD 0.36, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.69; SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.79, respectively), and self-reported physical activity (SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.72; SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.93, respectively) for both follow-up values and change from baseline scores.However, evidence of heterogeneity across trials was due to variation in intervention components (i.e. mode, frequency, intensity, duration of intervention and sessions) and measures used to assess outcomes. All trials reviewed were at high risk of performance bias, and most were also at high risk of detection, attrition, and selection bias. In light of the aforementioned issues, we determined that the evidence was of very low, low, or moderate quality.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No conclusions regarding breast cancer-related and all-cause mortality or breast cancer recurrence were possible. However, physical activity interventions may have small-to-moderate beneficial effects on HRQoL, and on emotional or perceived physical and social function, anxiety, cardiorespiratory fitness, and self-reported and objectively measured physical activity. The positive results reported in the current review must be interpreted cautiously owing to very low-to-moderate quality of evidence, heterogeneity of interventions and outcome measures, imprecision of some estimates, and risk of bias in many trials. Future studies with low risk of bias are required to determine the optimal combination of physical activity modes, frequencies, intensities, and durations needed to improve specific outcomes among women who have undergone adjuvant therapy.

Global cancer pain management: a systematic review comparing trials in Africa, Europe and North America

AIM

Despite the rise in cancer survivorship, few reviews have examined the quality of studies of cancer pain management and practices around the globe. With a void in trials spanning multiple geographical settings, this review evaluates the quality of cancer trials across three continents.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A literature review and search of established databases was conducted to identify eligible studies. The Cochrane method, the Jadad Score and a cancer pain-specific ad hoc tool were used to evaluate quality of studies.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies representing a total of 4693 individuals were included in the review. Study quality correlated positively with study sample size and palliative care index. Trials in all three continents were prone to use opioids for pain management, whereas trials in Europe and North America utilized other adjuvant therapies such as antidepressants and steroids.

CONCLUSION

This review underscores the need for better multidimensional quality assessment tools for cancer pain trials.

An evaluation tool for myofascial adhesions in patients after breast cancer (MAP-BC evaluation tool): Development and interrater reliability

Purpose

To develop a tool to evaluate myofascial adhesions objectively in patients with breast cancer and to investigate its interrater reliability.

Methods

1) Development of the evaluation tool. Literature was searched, experts in the field of myofascial therapy were consulted and pilot testing was performed. 2) Thirty patients (63% had a mastectomy, 37% breast-conserving surgery and 97% radiotherapy) with myofascial adhesions were evaluated using the developed tool by 2 independent raters. The Weighted Kappa (WK) and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated.

Results

1) The evaluation tool for Myofascial Adhesions in Patients with Breast Cancer (MAP-BC evaluation tool) consisted of the assessment of myofascial adhesions at 7 locations: axillary and breast region scars, musculi pectorales region, axilla, frontal chest wall, lateral chest wall and the inframammary fold. At each location the degree of the myofascial adhesion was scored at three levels (skin, superficial and deep) on a 4-points scale (between no adhesions and very stiff adhesions). Additionally, a total score (0–9) was calculated, i.e. the sum of the different levels of each location. 2) Interrater agreement of the different levels separately was moderate for the axillary and mastectomy scar (WK 0.62–0.73) and good for the scar on the breast (WK >0.75). Moderate agreement was reached for almost all levels of the non-scar locations. Interrater reliability of the total scores was the highest for the scars (ICC 0.82–0.99). At non-scar locations good interrater reliability was reached, except for the inframammary fold (ICC = 0.71).

Conclusions

The total scores of all locations of the MAP-BC evaluation tool had good to excellent interrater reliability, except for the inframammary fold which only reached moderate reliability.

Management of Chronic Pain in Survivors of Adult Cancers: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based guidance on the optimum management of chronic pain in adult cancer survivors.

METHODS

An ASCO-convened expert panel conducted a systematic literature search of studies investigating chronic pain management in cancer survivors. Outcomes of interest included symptom relief, pain intensity, quality of life, functional outcomes, adverse events, misuse or diversion, and risk assessment or mitigation.

RESULTS

A total of 63 studies met eligibility criteria and compose the evidentiary basis for the recommendations. Studies tended to be heterogeneous in terms of quality, size, and populations. Primary outcomes also varied across the studies, and in most cases, were not directly comparable because of different outcomes, measurements, and instruments used at different time points. Because of a paucity of high-quality evidence, many recommendations are based on expert consensus.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Clinicians should screen for pain at each encounter. Recurrent disease, second malignancy, or late-onset treatment effects in any patient who reports new-onset pain should be evaluated, treated, and monitored. Clinicians should determine the need for other health professionals to provide comprehensive pain management care in patients with complex needs. Systemic nonopioid analgesics and adjuvant analgesics may be prescribed to relieve chronic pain and/or to improve function. Clinicians may prescribe a trial of opioids in carefully selected patients with cancer who do not respond to more conservative management and who continue to experience distress or functional impairment. Risks of adverse effects of opioids should be assessed. Clinicians should clearly understand terminology such as tolerance, dependence, abuse, and addiction as it relates to the use of opioids and should incorporate universal precautions to minimize abuse, addiction, and adverse consequences. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/chronic-pain-guideline and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki.

Characterization of chronic pain in breast cancer survivors using the McGill Pain Questionnaire

The aim of the present study was to characterize pain in breast cancer survivors using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 women aged 30-80 years who had been submitted to treatment for breast cancer (surgery and complementary treatment) at least 12 months earlier with reports of pain related to the therapeutic procedures. Pain was characterized using the full-length version of the MPQ, which is made up of 78 descriptors divided into four categories: sensory (ten items), affective (five items), evaluative (one item) and miscellaneous (four items). Two indices were also used to measure pain through the use of the descriptors: the number of words chosen (NWC) and the pain rating index (PRI). The most frequent descriptive terms were "agonizing" (n = 16; 53.3%), "tugging" (n = 15; 50%), "sore" (n = 14; 46.7%), "wretched" (n = 14; 46.7%), "troublesome" (n = 13; 43.3%) and "spreading" (n = 11; 36.7%). The sensory category had the highest PRI value based on the descriptors chosen (mean: 0.41). Women with chronic pain following treatment for breast cancer employed the "agonizing", "tugging" and "sore" descriptors with greatest frequency and rated pain in the sensory category as having the greatest impact.

Clinical practice guidelines on the use of integrative therapies as supportive care in patients treated for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The majority of breast cancer patients use complementary and/or integrative therapies during and beyond cancer treatment to manage symptoms, prevent toxicities, and improve quality of life. Practice guidelines are needed to inform clinicians and patients about safe and effective therapies.

METHODS

Following the Institute of Medicine's guideline development process, a systematic review identified randomized controlled trials testing the use of integrative therapies for supportive care in patients receiving breast cancer treatment. Trials were included if the majority of participants had breast cancer and/or breast cancer patient results were reported separately, and outcomes were clinically relevant. Recommendations were organized by outcome and graded based upon a modified version of the US Preventive Services Task Force grading system.

RESULTS

The search (January 1, 1990-December 31, 2013) identified 4900 articles, of which 203 were eligible for analysis. Meditation, yoga, and relaxation with imagery are recommended for routine use for common conditions, including anxiety and mood disorders (Grade A). Stress management, yoga, massage, music therapy, energy conservation, and meditation are recommended for stress reduction, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life (Grade B). Many interventions (n = 32) had weaker evidence of benefit (Grade C). Some interventions (n = 7) were deemed unlikely to provide any benefit (Grade D). Notably, only one intervention, acetyl-l-carnitine for the prevention of taxane-induced neuropathy, was identified as likely harmful (Grade H) as it was found to increase neuropathy. The majority of intervention/modality combinations (n = 138) did not have sufficient evidence to form specific recommendations (Grade I).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific integrative therapies can be recommended as evidence-based supportive care options during breast cancer treatment. Most integrative therapies require further investigation via well-designed controlled trials with meaningful outcomes.

Effects of a six-week Pilates intervention on balance and fear of falling in women aged over 65 with chronic low-back pain: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of six weeks of Pilates regarding functional balance, fear of falling and pain in community living women older than 65 years old with chronic low-back pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A single blind controlled randomized trial of six weeks of Pilates in addition to physiotherapy treatment (n=50) vs. physiotherapy treatment alone (n=47) was conducted on 97 community living women (71.14 ± 3.30 years) with chronic low-back pain (CLBP).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Main outcome measures were fear of falling (FoF), assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale-international; functional mobility and balance, measured with the Timed up and Go Test; and pain, evaluated using the numeric rating scale.

RESULTS

Only the Pilates group showed improvement in FoF (ES; d=.68) and functional mobility and balance (ES; d=1.12) after treatment, and also had better results in pain (ES; d=1.46) than the physiotherapy-only group.

CONCLUSIONS

Six weeks of Pilates exercises may be effective in fall prevention through the improvement of FoF, functional balance, and pain in Spanish women over 65 years old with CLBP.

Assessing the impact of pain on the life of breast cancer survivors using the Brief Pain Inventory

[Purpose] This study attempted to assess the impact of pain on the life of breast cancer survivors using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants comprised 30 women, aged 30-80 years, who had received treatment for breast cancer (surgery and complementary treatment) at least 12 months prior to the study and had reported chronic pain related to the treatment procedures. [Results] The highest scores were found for "mood" (median: 5.00 points; first quartile: 1.00 points; third quartile: 7.25 points), "normal work" (median: 5.00 points; first quartile: 0.00 points; third quartile: 8.00 points), and "sleep" (median: 4.50 points, first quartile: 0.00 points, third quartile: 8.00 points). [Conclusion] Pain exerts a negative impact primarily on mood, normal work, and sleep among breast cancer survivors.

The beneficial effect of enhanced physical activity on the welfare of breast cancer survivors

SUMMARY 

Healthcare providers caring for breast cancer survivors can positively impact patients' quality of life by counseling them about lifestyle modifications such as physical activity and exercise. Based on a literature review of current available evidence, this article serves as a guide to primary care providers regarding the beneficial role of lifestyle modification and physical activity. Specific survivorship issues and beneficial impacts of physical activity that will be discussed in this article include the management of arthralgias, cancer related fatigue, lymphedema, pain, mental health conditions, weight management and reducing breast cancer recurrence. The timing and intensity of physical activity needs to be individualized based on patient symptoms, comorbidities and personal preferences. The goals of physical activity options for breast cancer survivors are to aid in the management of treatment-related side effects, improve fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Pain in cancer survivors

Pain is a common problem in cancer survivors, especially in the first few years after treatment. In the longer term, approximately 5% to 10% of survivors have chronic severe pain that interferes with functioning. The prevalence is much higher in certain subpopulations, such as breast cancer survivors. All cancer treatment modalities have the potential to cause pain. Currently, the approach to managing pain in cancer survivors is similar to that for chronic cancer-related pain, pharmacotherapy being the principal treatment modality. Although it may be appropriate to continue strong opioids in survivors with moderate to severe pain, most pain problems in cancer survivors will not require them. Moreover, because more than 40% of cancer survivors now live longer than 10 years, there is growing concern about the long-term adverse effects of opioids and the risks of misuse, abuse, and overdose in the nonpatient population. As with chronic nonmalignant pain, multimodal interventions that incorporate nonpharmacologic therapies should be part of the treatment strategy for pain in cancer survivors, prescribed with the aim of restoring functionality, not just providing comfort. For patients with complex pain issues, multidisciplinary programs should be used, if available. New or worsening pain in a cancer survivor must be evaluated to determine whether the cause is recurrent disease or a second malignancy. This article focuses on patients with a history of cancer who are beyond the acute diagnosis and treatment phase and on common treatment-related pain etiologies. The benefits and harms of the various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options for pain management in this setting are reviewed.

Interventions for promoting habitual exercise in people living with and beyond cancer

BACKGROUND

The beneficial effects of regular exercise for people living with or beyond cancer are becoming apparent. However, how to promote exercise behaviour in sedentary cancer cohorts is not as well understood. A large majority of people living with or recovering from cancer do not meet exercise recommendations. Hence, reviewing the evidence on how to promote and sustain exercise behaviour is important.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions to promote exercise behaviour in sedentary people living with and beyond cancer and to address the following questions: Which interventions are most effective in improving aerobic fitness and skeletal muscle strength and endurance? What adverse effects are attributed to different exercise interventions? Which interventions are most effective in improving exercise behaviour amongst patients with different cancers? Which interventions are most likely to promote long-term (12 months or longer) exercise behaviour? What frequency of contact with exercise professionals is associated with increased exercise behaviour? What theoretical basis is most often associated with increased exercise behaviour? What behaviour change techniques are most often associated with increased exercise behaviour?

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 8, 2012), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, PsycLIT/PsycINFO, SportDiscus and PEDro from inception to August 2012. We also searched the grey literature, wrote to leading experts in the field, wrote to charities and searched reference lists of other recent systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared an exercise intervention with a usual care approach in sedentary people over the age of 18 with a homogenous primary cancer diagnosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors working independently (LB and KH) screened all titles and abstracts to identify studies that might meet the inclusion criteria, or that cannot be safely excluded without assessment of the full text (e.g. when no abstract is available). All eligible papers were formally abstracted by at least two members of the review author team working independently (LB and KH) and using the data collection form. When possible, and if appropriate, we performed a fixed-effect meta-analysis of study outcomes. For continuous outcomes (e.g. cardiorespiratory fitness), we extracted the final value, the standard deviation of the outcome of interest and the number of participants assessed at follow-up in each treatment arm, to estimate standardised mean difference (SMD) between treatment arms. SMD was used, as investigators used heterogeneous methods to assess individual outcomes. If a meta-analysis was not possible or was not appropriate, we synthesised studies as a narrative.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen trials were included in this review, involving a total of 648 participants. Only studies involving breast, prostate or colorectal cancer were identified as eligible. Just six trials incorporated a target level of exercise that could meet current recommendations. Only three trials were identified that attempted to objectively validate independent exercise behaviour with accelerometers or heart rate monitoring. Adherence to exercise interventions, which is crucial for understanding treatment dose, is often poorly reported. It is important to note that the fundamental metrics of exercise behaviour (i.e. frequency, intensity and duration, repetitions, sets and intensity of resistance training), although easy to devise and report, are seldom included in published clinical trials.None of the included trials reported that 75% or greater adherence (the stated primary outcome for this review) of the intervention group met current aerobic exercise recommendations at any given follow-up. Just two trials reported six weeks of resistance exercise behaviour that would meet the guideline recommendations. However, three trials reported adherence of 75% or greater to an aerobic exercise goal that was less than the current guideline recommendation of 150 minutes per week. All three incorporated both supervised and independent exercise components as part of the intervention, and none placed restrictions on the control group in terms of exercise behaviour. These three trials shared programme set goals and the following behaviour change techniques: generalisation of a target behaviour; prompting of self-monitoring of behaviour; and prompting of practise. Despite the uncertainty surrounding adherence in many of the included trials, interventions caused improvements in aerobic exercise tolerance at 8 to 12 weeks (from 7 studies, SMD 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.95) in intervention participants compared with controls. At six months, aerobic exercise tolerance was also improved (from 5 studies, SMD 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.94), but it should be noted that four of the five trials used in this analysis had a high risk of bias, hence caution is warranted in interpretation of results. Attrition over the course of these interventions is typically low (median 6%).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to promote exercise in cancer survivors who report better levels of adherence share some common behaviour change techniques. These involve setting programme goals, prompting practise and self-monitoring and encouraging participants to attempt to generalise behaviours learned in supervised exercise environments to other, non-supervised contexts. However, expecting most sedentary survivors to achieve current guideline recommendations of at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise is likely to be unrealistic. As with all well-designed exercise programmes in any context, prescriptions should be designed around individual capabilities, and frequency, duration and intensity or sets, repetitions, intensity or resistance training should be generated on this basis.

Effect of a single session of muscle-biased therapy on pain sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Muscle-biased therapies (MBT) are commonly used to treat pain, yet several reviews suggest evidence for the clinical effectiveness of these therapies is lacking. Inadequate treatment parameters have been suggested to account for inconsistent effects across studies. Pain sensitivity may serve as an intermediate physiologic endpoint helping to establish optimal MBT treatment parameters. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature investigating the short-term effect of a single dose of MBT on pain sensitivity in both healthy and clinical populations, with particular attention to specific MBT parameters of intensity and duration.

METHODS

A systematic search for articles meeting our prespecified criteria was conducted using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and MEDLINE from the inception of each database until July 2012, in accordance with guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis. Relevant characteristics from studies included type, intensity, and duration of MBT and whether short-term changes in pain sensitivity and clinical pain were noted with MBT application. Study results were pooled using a random-effects model to estimate the overall effect size of a single dose of MBT on pain sensitivity as well as the effect of MBT, dependent on comparison group and population type.

RESULTS

Reports from 24 randomized controlled trials (23 articles) were included, representing 36 MBT treatment arms and 29 comparative groups, where 10 groups received active agents, 11 received sham/inert treatments, and eight received no treatment. MBT demonstrated a favorable and consistent ability to modulate pain sensitivity. Short-term modulation of pain sensitivity was associated with short-term beneficial effects on clinical pain. Intensity of MBT, but not duration, was linked with change in pain sensitivity. A meta-analysis was conducted on 17 studies that assessed the effect of MBT on pressure pain thresholds. The results suggest that MBT had a favorable effect on pressure pain thresholds when compared with no-treatment and sham/inert groups, and effects comparable with those of other active treatments.

CONCLUSION

The evidence supports the use of pain sensitivity measures by future research to help elucidate optimal therapeutic parameters for MBT as an intermediate physiologic marker.

Effectiveness of water physical therapy on pain, pressure pain sensitivity, and myofascial trigger points in breast cancer survivors: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of an 8-week water physical therapy program on cervical and shoulder pain, pressure sensitivity, and the presence of trigger points (TrPs) in breast cancer survivors.

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING

To date, no study has investigated effects of water therapy in breast cancer.

PATIENTS

Sixty-six breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned into two groups: WATER group, who received a water exercise program or CONTROL group who received the usual care treatment for breast cancer.

INTERVENTIONS

The WATER therapy program consisted of 24 sessions (3 times/week over 8 weeks) of low-intensity exercises in a warm pool (32°C). Each session included 10-minute warm-up period; 35 minutes of aerobic, low-intensity endurance, and core stability training; and a 15-minute cool-down period (stretching and relaxation).

OUTCOMES

 Neck and shoulder pain (visual analog scale, 0-100 mm), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over C5-C6 zygapophyseal joints, deltoid muscles, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior muscles, and the presence of TrPs in cervical-shoulder muscles were assessed at baseline and after the 8-week program by an assessor blinded to treatment allocation.

RESULTS

The WATER group demonstrated a between-group improvement for neck pain of -31 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]-49 to -22, P < 0.001; effect size 1.1, 0.81-1.75) and for shoulder-axillary of -19 mm (-40 to -04, P = 0.046; effect size 0.70, 0.14-1.40). Improvements were also noted for PPT levels over C5-C6 joints (between-group differences, affected side: 27.7 kPa, 95% CI 3.9-50.4; unaffected: 18.1 kPa, 95% CI 6.1-52.2). No between-group differences for PPT over the remaining points were observed (P > 0.05). Finally, patients in the WATER program showed a greater reduction of active TrPs as compared with the CONTROL group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

 An 8-week water therapy program was effective for improving neck and shoulder/axillary pain, and reducing the presence of TrPs in breast cancer survivors as compared with usual care; however, no significant changes in widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia were found.

The use of rehabilitation among patients with breast cancer: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study

Background

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Along with improvements in treatment, the number of women who survive breast cancer has increased. Rehabilitation can alleviate post-treatment side effects and maintain quality of life. This study aimed to explore the use of rehabilitation among a cohort of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods

A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted using a National Health Insurance (NHI) research database in Taiwan. The study cohort consisted of 632 patients with breast cancer diagnosed in 2005. Their NHI claims over a period spanning 2005 through 2009 were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 39.6% of the cohort received rehabilitation therapy, with 9,691 rehabilitation visits claimed (an average of 38.8 visits per user). The prevalence of rehabilitation service use among the cohort was 16.5%, 13.3%, 13.0%, 13.3%, and 12.8% in the years 2005 through 2009, respectively. The average number of visits per rehabilitation user was 16.8, 25.0, 31.1, 24.2, and 23.8 in the years 2005 through 2009, respectively. Most rehabilitation therapy occurred as an outpatient service (96.0%). Physical therapy was the most commonly used form of rehabilitation (84.2%), followed by occupational therapy (15.4%). The most frequently recorded diagnoses were malignant neoplasm of the female breast, peripheral enthesopathies and allied syndromes, and osteoarthrosis and allied disorders.

Conclusions

Only a small proportion of patients with breast cancer received rehabilitation therapy in the first five years after diagnosis. The average number of rehabilitation visits per user peaked in the third year after diagnosis.