• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.37-49
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• 2010

Objective : Qigong has been reported as an effective for post-mastectomy women. It consists of a series of postures combined with slow, smooth, graceful movements, and is considered a low intensity exercise. In this study, a specialist of Qigong developed a Qigong program for post-mastectomy women in a community. The object of this research is to evaluate the effect of Qigong on a subjective symptom scale, on the grade of discomfort and pain in everyday life, BMI, fat(%), muscular strength, shoulder joint movement, in post-mastectomy women. Methods : The study used a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. The experimental group received a Qigong 3 times a week for 12 weeks from September 7th to December 28th in 2009. The subjects were 40 patients are divided into 25 persons in experimental groups and 15 persons in contrastive group. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test. A P-value less than .05 was considered significant by 2-tailed test. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS win(ver 12.0). Results : The results were as follows : The score in the subjective symptom(p=.040), and score of anxiety (p=.024), fat(%)(p=.007) were significantly decreased after Qigong program. The values for shoulder flexibility (left : p=.010, right : p=.008), and Muscular strength(grip power)(left : p=.021, right : p=.029) significantly increased after Qigong program. And Flexion(left ; p=.029), Extension(left : p=.001, right : p=.038), Adduction(left ; p=.001, right ; p<0.001) were also significantly increased after Qigong Conclusions : The Qigong is an effective health promotion program for post-mastectomy women.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.101-112
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was done to investigate the degree of the pulse wave parameter of post-mastectomy women and to identify the relationships between each of them. Methods : Data were obtained from public health center in Busan Metropolitan city. Participants were 82 post-mastectomy women aged 31-82. the data collection was from Oct, 1, 2010 to Oct, 31, 2010. the data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Duncan test. A p-value less than .05 was considered significant by 2-tailed test. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS/Win(ver 12.0). Results : As for the difference in the pulse wave by the general characteristics. The pulse energy was showed highly in the order of Chon, Quan and Chuk of left and right pulse respectively. In the pulse energy of left Quan and right Chon, the case of both mastectomy was showed highly and in the pulse energy of left Chuk, the case of right mastectomy was showed highly. Left and right pulse energy of menopause female were significantly higher than normal range except left Chon and Chuk. In h1, h2, h4, h5, t1, t2, AP and Aw, the pulse energy of left Chon was showed the largest significantly. In As, the pulse energy of right Chon was showed the smallest and in Ad, right Chuk was showed the largest. In RAI, right and left Chuk was showed the highest respectively. Conclusions : From these result, we can see that there are relation between women's age, area of operation breast and menopause after mastectomy in pulse wave. The result of this study will become basic data necessary for the Oriental Medicine treatment to reduce or prevent women's functional difficulties, symptomatology after mastectomy.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.99-124
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to research psychosocial experience in post-mastectomy women, who participated in self-help group, using in-depth interviews and participant observations. Until recently, studies on post-mastectomy women in psychological perspectives had been maily done by nurses, and there are only few literatures in social welfare studies. Therefore, based on phenomenological theory, the meaning and essence of "the breast" and the lived experience of post-mastectomy women, i.e. emotional distress, and as a result has been explored, it has confirmed six clusters and explained them in detail. As a result, from the subjects' experience, the essence of 'A crossroad of life and death', 'sexual-identity crisis', 'feeling mortified due to double binded messages of others', 'conflict between physical and psychological disabilities', 'feelings of gratitude or wishfulness', and 'their realistic suggestions and wishes' has been shown. It has been founded that the subjects experienced not only self-identity crisis as women but also unending internal turmoil because of their passion to live. It has been hoped that this study will help to shape government policy and social welfare services on post-mastectomy patients.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2003

Purpose: To identify the type of disease-related stress experienced by women who received mastectomy for breast cancer using Q methodology. Method: Q sample included 30 statements obtained from literature and interviews with women with mastectomy. P sample consisted of 22 patients with mastectomy. The data were collected from November to December 2002 and analyzed using QUANL program. Result : Four types of disease-related stress experienced by women with mastectomy were found. Type 1 was manifested for a short duration following surgery and characterized by lowered self-esteem, feelings of emptiness and depression because of impaired body image. Type 2 was characterized by declined physical strength, resulting in frequent fatigue in the daily life and less intimate relationship with spouse. Type 3 was manifested by perfectionists with strong sense of self-pride who received or considered breast reconstruction surgery. Type 4 was reported by those who had long period of post-surgery. This type reported a strong sense of discomfort for wearing an artificial breast but didn't show any intention of trying breast reconstruction surgery. Conclusion: Women with mastectomy were found to experience different type of disease-related distress. Therefore, nurses should assess the type of stress the patient experiences following a mastectomy to provide appropriate nursing care.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-90
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• 2015

Objectives The purposes of this study was to develope a Qi gong exercise that suits characteristics of post mastectomy women, and to evaluate the effect of Qi gong exercise on immune response, blood circulation index, pulse wave parameter and heart rate variability. Methods This study was applied to total 35 post mastectomy women, including 17 for experiment group and 18 for control group. The Qi gong exercise was composed of total 24 times of 90 minutes per each time, twice a week, and 12 weeks and it was conducted by the oriental medicine professor who was an expert of Qi gong exercise. Results 1. Two group comparison revealed that the experimental group had significantly improved immune response(p<.021), HR(beats/min)(p<.001), ESV(ml/beat)(p=.038), ESI($ml/beat/m^2$)(p=.040), ECO (L/min)(p=.019), ECI($L/min/m^2$)(p=.023), ECRI($dyne^*sec/cm$)(p=.015), Left Kwan($div^3$)(p=.021), Right Kwan($div^3$)(p=.038), Mean HRV(cycle/min)(p<.001), SDNN(ms)(p=.043), RMSSD(ms)(p=.040), and TP(log $ms^2$)(p=.039). 2. Two group comparison revealed that the experimental group had significantly decreased ECR ($dyne^*sec^*cm^{-5}$) (p=.034), Left RAI(p=.044), Right RAI(p=.042), and pNN50(%)(p=.038). Conclusions These results from Qi gong exercise program can be used as basic data for development of health promotion program for Post Mastectomy Women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9631-9634
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• 2014

Background: : In 2012, the breast cancer estimate worldwide stood at 1.67 million new cases, these accounting for 25% of all types of cancer diagnosed in women. For 2014, 57,120 new cases are expected, with a risk estimated at 56.1 cases for every 100,000 women. The objective of this study was to analyze the satisfaction regarding the use of external breast prostheses by women undergoing mastectomy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 76 women who used an external breast prosthesis (EBP), registered in the services of the Cuiaba Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Mato Grosso, Brazil, from 2009 to 2012. Data were collected from the records of women who had requested the opening of a process of external breast prosthesis concession. Results: Satisfaction with the EBP was identified in 56.6% of the women. Those satisfied with the EBP reported that its weight was not annoying (p<0.01). Although the women felt body sensations of stitches, pains, pulling, dormancy and phantom limb, they are satisfied with the EBP. The variable related to the displacement of the breast prosthesis during activity of everyday life has demonstrated that even though the women have reported the possibility of displacements, they are satisfied with the EBP. The satisfaction with the use of external breast prosthesis did not affect the sexuality of the women with mastectomy. Conclusions: Learning the specificities of the EBP, taking into consideration the satisfaction of its use, allows the rehabilitation team, by listening to their clientele more attentively, following up this woman throughout her life journey, supporting and guiding the best way of use, with an eye to her personal, emotional and social life, as well as to her self-esteem.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of imagery therapy on "coping mechanism and type C personality of the women with mastectomy. To achieve this purpose, 2 hours sessions of imagery therapy were given to the patients with breast cancer twice a week for 6 weeks. The period of data collection was from July, 7th to August, 12th 2002. The participants were 30 patients, 15 experimental group, 15 control group who were treated at the G University hospital in J City. This study was designed using a quasi-experimental approach with non-equivalent Pre test-Post test Design. The themes for the Imagery Therapy Program were composed of Leuner's(1969) 12 Imagery Themes: flower, green-field, stream, mountain, house, woods, significant figures, rose, lion, ideal self-image, cave and volcano. The data were analyzed with ${\chi}2-test$ and MANOVA using the SPSS program. The course of image change of the 12 imagery themes was analyzed by content analysis. The results of this study are as follows: First Hypothesis, 'The score of type C personality in the women with mastectomy who received imagery therapy will be significantly lower than that of the control group' was supported(p<.05). Second Hypothesis, 'The score of coping mechanism' in the women with mastectomy who received imagery therapy will be significantly higher than that of the control group' was rejected. In conclusion, imagery therapy is suggested as an effective nursing intervention to change type C personality of the women with mastectomy, but not effective to improve coping mechanism. Therefore, the program for the women with mastectomy should be developed to change their coping mechanism, method of problem solving and Quality of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4845-4851
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• 2016

Background and Objectives: As one of the most common treatments for breast cancer, mastectomy has adverse effects on the quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in the impacted women. Various strategies have therefore been proposed to resolve their sexual problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual rehabilitation using the PLISSIT model in post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on a population of post-mastectomy breast cancer survivors and their husbands. Sample size was calculated as 50 each for intervention and non-intervention groups. The former received sexual counseling based on the PLISSIT model consisting of four levels of intervention: permission, limited information, specific suggestion and intensive therapy, presented in four 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: No significant differences were observed in the mean quality of sexual life scores between the intervention and control groups (P>0.05) before the intervention; however, a significant difference emerged between the groups after the intervention (P<0.01). Thus the mean score for sexual functioning in the intervention group was $26.3{\pm}3.76$ before and $30.0{\pm}4.38$ after the intervention (P<0.0001). In the control group, however, the difference between the pre- and post-intervention mean scores was not statistically significant (P=0.713). Conclusion: The present study showed that nurses can use the PLISSIT model in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to teach coping and problem-solving skills to women with breast cancer and their husbands and to encourage their participation in group programs for expressing their feelings and attitudes about their current sex life and thus help enhance quality of sexual life and sexual functioning in this group.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of a four-week scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique on scapular symmetry and range of flexion motion (ROM), pain, function, and quality of life (QOL) in post-mastectomy women with breast cancer. Methods: This study included 20 women divided into an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). All patients performed complex decongestive physiotherapy for 40 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. The experimental group performed the extra scapular stabilizing exercise program using the PNF technique for 50 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. Scapular symmetry, shoulder flexion ROM, pain and function, and QOL were subsequently assessed. For ROM measurement, the range of shoulder flexion was measured using a clinometer smart phone application; the pain of the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the scapular position was measured using a lateral scapular slide test (LSST); the level of pain and functional activity was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); and the QOL was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Results: There were significant differences in shoulder flexion ROM, VAS, SPADI, and LSST 0˚ and 45˚ when the experimental group was compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, there was an improved within-group change in the ROM, SPADI, LSST, and QOL in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique may be used as a possible treatment option for post-mastectomy women with breast cancer that aims to improve scapular position, shoulder ROM and function, and QOL.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1111-1122
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• 2006

Purpose: This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise using a flex band on the improvement of physical functions & body image in breast cancer women undergoing radiation therapy after a mastectomy. Method: Women with breast cancer(n =26) were assigned to an experimental group(EG, n = 15) and control group(CG, n = 11). The E.G participated in an aerobic exercise program with a 60% to 80% intensity of maximal heart rate for 25 minutes during the main exercise, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks. The EG did not exercise regularly for 3 months before participating in this program. The CG received no exercise treatment during the research period. Data were analyzed using the $x^2-test$ and Mann-Whitney U test by the SPSS version 11.0 program at a 5% significant level. Results: Group analysis revealed that the EGwomen had significantly more improved cardio-pulmonary functions, ROM of the affected shoulder joint, and body image compared to the CG, Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using a flex band may be an effective rehabilitative measure for mastectomy women with respect to cardio-pulmonary functions, ROM, & body image. Further studies are recommended to study early rehabilitation programs within 10 days post-operatively.