Effect of Early Upper Limb Exercises on Reducing its Disabilities and Improving Self-Esteem among Mastectomy Patients

Introduction

Breast cancer, a heterogeneous disease in its development and progression, remains the most prevalent female cancer diagnosed worldwide. Based on GLOBOCAN statistics, the incidence of breast cancer has increased from 1.4 million in 2008 to 1.7 million in 2012, which represents a 21.4% increase in the incidence of breast cancer worldwide over this period. Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for up to 15% of all cancer deaths. Furthermore, mortality has increased steadily from nearly 805 per 100,000 total deaths in 2008 to about 932 per 100,000 total deaths in 2012⁽¹⁾.

In Egypt, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cancer among females it is accounting for 37.7%, constituted 12,621 new cases in 2008. The ratio between incidence and mortality for breast cancer was poor (1.9:1) as estimated in many regional Egyptian cancer registries as well as in hospital-based frequencies which mentioned by Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute 2013 ⁽²⁾. While accounting for59.6% in 2012 constituted 18,660 new cases. So it is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality accounting 21.6% of females total deaths according to WHO 2014 ⁽³⁾.

Upper limb dysfunction (ULD) commonly occurs after mastectomy. ULD is defined as restricted upper limb mobility, pain, impaired sensation, and strength. ULD is a significant cause of disability and negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL). ULD found a widely reported variation in prevalence of impaired shoulder range of motion (ROM) (<1%-67%), arm weakness (9%-28%) and shoulder/arm pain (9%-68%) ⁽⁴⁾.

The findings of the studies indicate that mastectomy significantly affects negatively on the body image and identity of patients. They concluded that unacceptable body image, poor self-esteem and poor self-concept usually experienced by patients who had mastectomy often result in feelings of inferiority among them. Consequently, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness are common among this group of patients ultimately resulting in the narcissistic delegation of the self ⁽⁵⁾.

To decrease the incidence of these complications, studies highlight that the performance of early exercises after mastectomy gives positive results, both in the physical and the psychological status and help women to return to their activities of daily living (ADLs) within a shorter period of time ⁽⁶⁾.

Therefore, the management of these mastectomy complications was represented a great challenge for the nurse because they have an impact on the patient's functional status and consequently the quality of life. So using of measures, which are inexpensive, available, self-induced by the patient, easy to learn and free from side effects e.g exercises could be effective in the management of pain, fatigue, and prevention of shoulder dysfunction ⁽⁷⁾.

The upper limb exercises are one of the nurse's responsibilities for women post-mastectomy that may result in significant and clinically meaningful improvements in shoulder ROM, and aid in the recovery of upper limb movement following mastectomy. The evidence presented suggests that structured exercise programs are beneficial and safe for women who have a mastectomy ⁽⁸⁾.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of early upper limb exercises on reducing its disabilities and improving self-esteem among mastectomy patients.

Research hypothesis

Applying early upper limb exercises reduce disabilities and improve self-esteem among mastectomy patients.

Subjects and Methods

Research Design:

The quasi-experimental research design was utilized in the current study.

Setting:

The current study was carried out at oncology center in Minia city in inpatient surgical department, surgical outpatient clinic and inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy department.

Study Duration:

The total data collection was collected over a period of eight months starting from July 2016 to February 2017.

Subjects:

A purposive sample of (60) female adult patients was assigned in the current study, they classified equally and alternatively into two equal groups (n= 30) for a control group and (n= 30) for study group according to the determination of the sample size based upon the following sample calculation formula ⁽⁹⁾:

Both groups of the current study were selected according to the following inclusion criteria:  

Inclusive criteria:

1)       Adult female (20 – 60 years).

2)       Conscious and oriented.

3)       Patients have first or second or third stage of breast cancer and scheduled for mastectomy.

4)       In the preoperative period( day of surgery).

5)       Receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery.

Tools of data collection

Three scales and one tool were utilized to collect pertinent data for this current study.

Tool 1: Bio sociodemographic characteristic and structured interview schedule. It was developed by the researcher after revising extensive literature review⁽¹⁰⁾. It was collected at the first interview and it covers two main parts:

Part one: The socio-demographic data for the patient which includes (such as age, marital status).

Part two: The medical-surgical information data as: (such as date of admission, type of mastectomy and location of surgery).

Scale 1: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Scale (DASH)

This scale used to evaluate patient’s upper extremity disabilities post mastectomy. Adopted from Hudak PL, Amadio PC and Bombardier C (1996)(11). It includes 6 parameters (physical, social, symptoms, psychological, work and recreational)  and was modified by the researcher who excluded recreational parameters because it was not applicable with sample's cultural concept. 

    Total items of DASH scale classified as the following 34-items are a physical parameter ( from item 1 to 21) Rank from 1(none difficult )to 5(unable )score. Social parameters ( from item 22 to 23) 22 it's  rank from 1(not at all)to 5(extreme)score while item 23 rank from 1(not limited at all)to 5(unable)score.

Moreover,  symptoms parameters ( from item 24 to 29)  items from 24 to 28 it's rank from 1(none) to 5(extreme )score but  item 29 rank from 1(no difficult )to 5(so much difficult )  also Psychological parameter ( 30) rank from 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree )score. Lastly work parameter ( from item 31 to 34) Rank from 1(no difficultly )to 5(unable )score.

Overall scoring of DASH scale was estimated as the following:  less than 33 has no dysfunction, 33-66 has mild dysfunction, 67-99 has moderate dysfunction, 100-132 has severe and more than 132 unable.

Scale 2: Muscle Strength Scale

This scale assesses muscle strength and monitoring over time and to follow progression or remission of disease. This scale Adopted from Hahn AF, et al., (1996) (12)and developed by Paternostro-S, et al., (2008) (13).  Scale rank from 0 (total paralysis) to 5(normal muscle strength). Scoring system for this scale when patient assessment indicates five scores this mean she has normal muscle strength but when have zero scores mean she has complete paralysis.

Scale 3: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

This scale was applied to patients to assess patient’s self-esteem. This scale Adopted from Rosenberg. (1965)  (14).  It composed totally from  10 items measures positive feelings about the self-was measured by patients answering of items (1, 2, 4, 6, and 7)  and measures negative  feelings about the self-was measured by patients  answering of items (3, 5, 8, 9, and 10 which are reversed in valence). Scale rank for positive items(1, 2, 4, 6, and 7)  from Strongly agree = 3to  Strongly disagree = 0.While Scale rank for negative items(3, 5, 8, 9, and 10) Strongly agree = 0 to  Strongly disagree = 3.

Scoring system for this scale calculated by the sum of patients positive and negative answering  it ranges from 0 to 30 when patients assessment range from(15 to 25) this mean she has normal self-esteem but when she has scored below 15 this means has  low self-esteem and higher than 25 scores until 30 scores indicate higher self-esteem.

Validity of tools

Tools content validity was done to identify the degree to which the used tools measure what was supposed to be measured. The developed tools were examined by a panel of three experts in the field of the study (Minia University). All jury member (100%) agree that current study tools were valid and relevant with the aim of the study.

Reliability of tools

Cronbach’s alpha reliability of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)questionnaire was 0.96, inter-rater reliability agreement of the medical research council Muscle Strength Scale (MSS)were finger extension: 0.77 & wrist extension: 0.78), and test-retest reliability for the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSS)range from 0.82 to 0.85.

A pilot study was carried out on 6 patients (10%) of the total sample to test feasibility, objectivity, and applicability of the tools. Those patients were excluded from the study.

Ethical Consideration

An official permission to conduct the study was obtained from the ethical committee of the faculty of nursing, dean of nursing faculty, oncology institute director, research center afflicted to Egypt Ministry of Health and agreement from Egypt academic for research center and technology. Written consents were obtained from subjects who were informed about the purpose, procedure, benefits, nature of the study, follow-up and she had the right to withdraw from the study at any time without any rationale. Confidentiality and anonymity of each subject were ensured through coding of all data and protecting the obtained data.

Procedure

              The current study was conducted by preparing of different data collection tools, in addition obtaining formal paper agreement which was taken induration one month before conducting the study. Collection of study data was done through daily basis (3 to 4 days per week ) during morning or evening shift.

Selected sample was admitted to female surgical units in their preoperative period( day of surgery) patient who was scheduled for a mastectomy was informed by the researcher individually about purpose and nature of the study, then researcher obtained oral or written consent from those who accepted to participate in this study. The researcher has started a collection of data from control group firstly in four months by using the first tool (Bio socio-demographic characteristics ) and the three study scales. While data collection from study group was started after finishing control group by using the first tool and the three scales.

Data collection for study sample was done in inpatient surgical department first during their hospitalization (ranged from 1to3days) then in outpatient clinic and chemotherapy for follow-up. The total number of sessions for data collection & training session for the study group was 5-7 sessions. Its duration for both study groups was ranged from 30 to 60 minutes.

Educational information and training practices about post-mastectomy exercises were applied by the study group at a day of surgery and the researcher was evaluated and ensures their competence in this practice immediately on the same day according to practice checklist. It was started on the second day of surgery before removal of drains specific exercises such as shoulder rolls, hand squeeze, elbow stretch, wrist exercise, until removal of the drains. After drain removal from patients, the exercises which were performed by patients before removal of her drain were repeated plus others exercises which were applied such as arm stretch, arm lift, hands on head, hands behind neck and wall crawl. Also, the researcher has given patients a photo brochure prepared by researcher after extensive literature review ^(15-16). It was included 9 types of exercises. Also, instructions regard duration and frequency to ensure that the patients perform this exercises accurately after their hospital discharge (4-6 weeks) and at home.

Follow-up for all patients (study &control) started at the day (15^th, 30^th, and 45^th ) postoperatively through face to face interview to evaluate the extent of upper limb disabilities and their self-esteem.  Also, researcher encouraged patients of the study group to attend follow-up.

Statistical analysis of data.

Data were summarized, tabulated, and presented using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distribution, percentages, means and the standard deviations as a measure of dispersion. A statistical package for the social science (SPSS), version (20) was used for statistical analysis of the data, as it contains the test of significance given in standard statistical books⁽¹⁷⁾. Numerical data were expressed as mean and SD.

Results

Table (1) :- Distribution of the Socio demographic characteristic for both study & control  groups subjects. (n= 60).

NS= not significant

It showed that the mean average age among study& control group were similar constituted 44.9 ± 9.1 years and 45.8 ± 9.5 years respectively. As regards marital status for both groups, the highest percentage among study and control groups were married constituted ( 80%&70%) respectively while the lowest percentage for same groups were single constituted (3.3% & 13.3%). On the other hand, the table results found that more than two-thirds of the study sample(study and control group) were lived in rural area constituted (63.3 % &70 %)  respectively. Related to their educational level (70%&76.7%) respectively of the current study sample (study and control groups) were illiterate while most of them were occupied as housewives. Lastly, there were no significant differences between study and control groups regarding socio demographic characteristics.

Table (2) Percentage distribution patients of both study & control groups according to overall scoring of  DASH scale after applied  post mastectomy exercises  during three  observations  (n= 60).

* p ≤.05                 ** p ≤.01                                

Table (2) illustrated that the highest percentage constituted (83.3%,76.7%,43.3%) respectively in three observations among control  group was had severed dysfunction except for lowest percentage among the same group was unable to function constituted (16.7%,6.7%) respectively  during their observation of 15th  and 30th  days from operation time ( first and second observations) while the results for the study group showed highest percentage constituted (63.3%,86.7%,90.0%) respectively in three observations indicate mild dysfunction after they applied mastectomy exercises. The rest of observation results revealed zero percentage.

There were highly statistically significant differences among both study and control group regarding total scores in 1^st ,2^nd , and 3^rd  observations.

Figure (1) Mean scores for the physical status among three observations

It showed that the mean average of physical status among study group after performing mastectomy exercise during three observations was constituted (39.2 ± 12.0, 31.4 ±  7.7, 27.7 ± 6.2) respectively which indicate decline in their disabilities after surgery while the mean average of physical status among control  group during three observations was constituted(80.7 ± 6.7, 72.0 ± 8.2, 64.8 ± 8.4) respectively which indicate increase  in their disabilities after surgery.

Table (3) Percentage distribution of the patients of both study & control groups as regarding to their  muscle strength (n= 60)

Table (3) revealed that the majority of study group has normal muscle strength constituted (63.3%,73.3%,73.3%) respectively in three observations after they applied mastectomy exercises during their observations while minority  of control  group has normal muscle strength (23.3%,20 %,20%) respectively in three observations. There were highly statistically significant differences among both study and control group regarding their muscle strength status in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd observation.

Table (4) Percentage distribution of the patients of both study & control groups as regarding their self –esteem assessment  (n= 60)

Table (4) showed that the highest percentage constituted (60.0%,80.0%,86.7%) respectively in three observations among study group was had normal self-esteem after they applied mastectomy exercises except lowest percentage among the same group was had  low self-esteem constituted (40%, 20%, 13.3%) respectively  during their observation of15,30, 45th days from operation time (first, second and third observations ) while reverse percentage constituted (83.3%,83.3%,80%) respectively in three observations among control group was had  low self-esteem. There were highly statistically significant differences among both study and control groups regarding their self-esteem assessment in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd observation.