Water runs quality of life: the effect of a water-based exercise program on shoulder joint mobility in breast cancer survivors

Purpose: According to recent metanalysis, adapted physical activity (APA) has shown its effectiveness in improving quality of life (QoL) and psychophysical health in cancer survivors. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating the effect of a water-based exercise program on shoulder joint mobility in breast cancer survivors. Methods: The exercise program included a group of 9 Breast Cancer Survivors (Age: 52.6 ± 10.1 years; Weight: 69.5 ± 11.7 kg; Height: 1.66 ± 0.07 m; BMI: 25.0 ± 2.7 kg/m2) who underwent surgery such as mastectomy or segmentectomy. Inclusion criteria were a good health status at the time of intervention, no contraindication highlighted by their oncologists, and no radiopharmaceutical assumed for the last three months. APA program consisted in 4 months supervised of water-based classes for a total of 13 workout sessions. Assessments included the back scratch test (for both the dominant and the contralateral limb) for the evaluation of upper limb range of movement (ROM), and shoulder circumduction test using a wooden wand to facilitate the measurements. Assessments have been administered prior the beginning (pre) of the intervention protocol and one week after the end of the program (post). Results: Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) revealed a significant distance reduction between hands in the back scratch test. In particular, a reduction of 5.1 cm with the left upper limb on the right one (pre: 14 ± 9.6 cm; post: 8.9 ± 7.1 cm), and 2.8 cm with the right upper limb on the left one (pre: 8.1 ± 8.8 cm; post: 5.3 ± 6.5 cm). Although there have been improvements for both sides, better results were obtained when the dominant limb was in elevated position. As far as the shoulder circumduction test is concerned, not every patient has been able to perform it. However, comparing available data, an improvement of 5.9 cm has been obtained (pre: 99.9 ± 8.2 cm; post: 94 ± 9.0 cm). Conclusions: Results of the present pilot study showed that a supervised and water-based APA program can lead to significant improvements of both muscles’ elastic properties and shoulders’ joint mobility in breast cancer survivors. Moreover, it may result in potential improvements of patients’ quality of life by facilitating their everyday activities. Acknowledgments: Authors would like to thank all the patients involved in the study.