Effects of Active Release Technique (ART) on Pectoralis Minor Tightness in Post Mastectomy Women.
Condition: Postgastrectomy Syndrome
MeSH terms: Postgastrectomy Syndromes
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this research is to determine the Effects of Active Release Technique (ART) on
      pectoralis minor tightness in post mastectomy women. Randomized controlled trials will be
      done at Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) Hospital. The sample
      size will be 60. The subjects were divided in two groups, with 30 subjects in Group A and 30
      in Group B. Study duration was of 6 months. Sampling technique applied was Non probability
      Convenience Sampling technique. Only women aged 40-60 years with Mastectomy (Unilateral/
      Bilateral/ Partial/ Radical) and Postoperative chemotherapy/ radiation therapy were included.
      Tools used in the study are Numeric Pain Rating Score (NPRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability
      Index (SPADI), Vernier Caliper and Rigid standard plastic transparent right angle. Data was
      analyzed through SPSS 21.
    

Detailed description: 
      Breast cancer may be a malignant neoplasm, an abnormal growth (carcinoma) originated in
      breast tissue that invade the encompassing tissue, grows infiltrative and destructive, and
      may metastasize.It is outlined pathologically by location of origin within the breast (e.g.
      ducts, lobes), size of the tumor, standing of the nodes, and also the presence of markers
      indicating tumor staging. Mostly, early-stage breast cancer diagnosed in women undergo
      surgical procedures, nearly half withstand breast-conserving surgery and one third experience
      mastectomy.

      It is generally believed that physiotherapy aims to aid recovery and prevent complications
      following mastectomy however no well-designed, randomized controlled trial has investigated
      the effect of active release technique (ART) specifically on pectoralis minor in
      post-operative breast cancer women. Hence, a physiotherapy rehabilitation plan of care
      consisting of patient education, early mobilization along Active Release Technique (ART) may
      prevent postoperative complications like chest tightness and reduced shoulder mobility. This
      will enhance muscular relaxation, improve restricted mobility, and will result in improved
      quality of life as compared to standard care or conventional treatment alone.
    

Intervention name(s): active release group; active control group
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Patient is in supine lying position with 15-20° shoulder abduction. Then place finger tips under Pectoralis minor tendon and position the arm in 90°/90° shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Apply the pressure while stroking the tender area and ask the patient to adduct the arm then bring shoulder backward while maintain the pressure 3 sets of 10 repetition/ 4 days per week for 3 weeks.; Conventional treatment- includes gentle shoulder ROMs i.e. flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation with-in pain free range, 10 repetitions each for 3 times a day
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Pectoralis minor tightness; post mastectomy women; active release technique; breast cancer