earticle

영어

Purpose: This study examined the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) rehabilitation exercise on postoperative range of motion (ROM), pain, and function of breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of PNF rehabilitation exercise for patients with breast cancer. Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent surgery due to breast cancer were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) that performed PNF rehabilitation exercise and a control group (n=7) that performed general rehabilitation exercise. Both groups performed the respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for 4 weeks. For the measurement of ROM, the range of shoulder abduction was measured using a clinometer smartphone application. The shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) was used to measure the level of pain and functional activity. A paired t-test was conducted to compare within-group changes before and after the PNF rehabilitation exercise. Differences between the experimental group and control group were analyzed by an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: After the exercise, there was a significant within-group change in the ROM and SPADI in both the experimental group and control group (p<0.01). There was also a significant between-group difference in the ROM and SPADI after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Rehabilitation exercise is generally applied as a treatment for patients with breast cancer after surgery and is relatively effective. The application of PNF rehabilitation exercise may be useful in such patients, considering its effects on ROM improvement, pain reduction, and functional enhancement.