Massage for Post Breast Surgery

MetroHealth Medical Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postmastectomy Lymphedema Syndrome; Shoulder Mobility Impairment; Breast Surgery; Pain

Treatments: Other: Global Relaxation Massage; Other: Myofascial Massage Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02250898

IRB13-01052

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aims of this study are to determine the effectiveness of myofascial massage specific to the breast/chest/shoulder area in reducing self-reported pain and increasing mobility among patients who have undergone a mastectomy or other breast surgery compared to a control group receiving global relaxation massages.

Full description

Post-operative breast surgery patients may face an array of complications. Breast surgery can include biopsy, lumpectomy, mastectomy or some type of reconstruction (Drackley 2012). Chronic pain and lack of mobility in the chest and/or shoulder are two of the more common and persistent issues in this population, however it is still unclear as to how many actually suffer from these (Wallace 1996). Current treatment for each of these usually includes prescribed narcotic pain medication and/or some physical therapy, the first being a treatment with many side effects, the latter being quite expensive. Global and integrated massage techniques have been used as a way of decreasing stress, anxiety, and some self-reported pain, however a targeted massage technique geared towards the breast/chest/shoulder region has not been rigorously evaluated (Drackley 2012). Myofascial massage has been shown to be an effective treatment for other post-surgical patients in reducing pain and increasing mobility, but efficacy has yet to be shown specifically in post-breast surgery patients (FitzGerald 2009). If proven effective, myofascial massage could be used as an inexpensive and non-invasive addition to current pain and mobility treatment (Cassileth 2004).

Specific Aims

Aim A.

Determine the effectiveness of myofascial massage specific to the breast/chest/shoulder area in reducing self-reported pain among patients who have undergone a mastectomy or other breast surgery.

Aim B.

Determine the effectiveness of myofascial massage specific to the breast/chest/shoulder area in increasing self-reported mobility in the affected shoulder among patients who have undergone a mastectomy or other breast surgery.

Hypothesis: Compared to control patients receiving general full body massage, myofascial massage specific to the breast/chest/shoulder area reduces pain and increases mobility in patients who have undergone breast surgery.

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 21 to 79 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age range 21-79 years of age
• Female
• Breast and/or axillary surgery
• 2-18 months post-operative
• Meets minimum pain and/or lack of mobility threshold as determined by survey
• Ability to give informed consent
• Ability to complete adherence task
• Benign or malignant forms of disease

Exclusion criteria

• History of blood clots
• Mentally incompetent
• Non-English speaking
• Infected sites or open wounds
• Currently lactating
• Currently receiving massage therapy for breast surgery
• Currently taking anticoagulants including:

Cilostazol Clopidogrel Ticlopidine Prasugrel Ticagrelor Dipyridamole Warfarin Dabigatran Rivaroxaban Apixaban Abciximab Eptifibatide Tirofiban Dalteparin Enoxaparin Fondaparinux Heparin Tinzaparin Argatroban Bivalirudin Lepirudin

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

21 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental/Myofascial

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention group will receive Myofascial Massage Therapy specific to breast/chest/shoulder of the affected side(s). These massages will include a variety of techniques specifically aimed at reducing pain, inflammation, and tissue sensitivity while also increasing mobility by breaking up scar tissue and thick fibrosis. The intervention massages will include the following specific techniques: skin glide, j stroking, vertical stroking, strumming, fascial stretch, circular friction, deep fascial restriction release, arm pull, side latissimus dorsi stretch, twisting, moist heat application, cold therapy, and lymphatic drainage. These massages will be twice a week at 30 minutes per massage for a period of 2 months after study enrollment.

Treatment:

Other: Myofascial Massage Therapy

Control/Global Relaxation

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group will receive a general full body massage referred to as a Global Relaxation massage. The massage technique used here will be relaxation massage, avoiding the breast/chest/arm area. This includes light kneading and stroking in order to restore a sense of well- being. The relaxation massage will also be twice a week at 30 minutes per massage for a period of 2 months, avoiding the area of the affected shoulder/shoulders. In this way they are still being seen and touched by a massage therapist, without receiving the intervention treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Global Relaxation Massage