Effect of exercise therapy, systemic acupuncture and silicon oxide tablets on muscular strength, lymphedema, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors: randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To compare three distinct rehabilitation treatments (exercise therapy, acupuncture, and silicon oxide tablets (Stiper®) in women undergoing breast cancer surgery, assessing strength, lymphedema, and quality of life. Methods: Seventy-nine women with pain above 3 on the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and with more than 90 days of surgery. Group I was treated with exercise therapy with a duration of 30 minutes, group II treated with 30 minutes of acupuncture using predefined points and group III treated with the same acupuncture points as group II, however, using the silicon oxide in place of needles. Results: There was an improvement in upper limb muscle strength over time in all groups, except for abduction and internal rotation movements. During treatment, there was no increase in the number of patients with lymphedema and there was no statistical difference between the groups. Regarding the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life questionnaire, nine of the fifteen factors analyzed showed significant differences between sessions. The factors that did not have significant differences between the three groups were Social Function, Nausea and Vomiting, Dyspnea, Loss of Appetite, Constipation, and Diarrhea. Conclusion:The rehabilitation of physical dysfunctions in women who survived breast cancer through exercise therapy, acupuncture, and silicon oxide tablets in upper limb muscle strength, lymphedema, and quality of life, proved to be effective, without difference between groups. Clinical Trials registry on 01/11/2016, with number NCT02798263.