Abstract P5-08-08: Ultrasound-guided injection with or without rehabilitation exercise in breast cancer survivors with sub-acromion-deltoid bursitis: a pilot randomized clinical study
Authors: Lippi Lorenzo , de Sire Alessandro , Folli Arianna , D’Abrosca Francesco , Turco Alessio , Bonizzi Giuseppina , Fusco Nicola , Invernizzi Marco 
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing overall survival of breast cancer (BC) patients, a growing interest has been raised in the current literature on disabling consequences of cancer and its treatment [1,2]. In particular, after radical surgery for BC, patients might frequently be affected by functional limitation of the shoulder joint, potentially related to the immobilization, surgical scar tensions, axillary web syndrome, subpectoral prostheses or expanders, or peripheral nerve damage [3]. In this scenario, several challenges are still open in the therapeutic approach to this disabling condition and the optimal management of shoulder dysfunction in breast cancer patients is far from being fully characterized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a comprehensive rehabilitation program including ultrasound-guided injection of the sub-acromion deltoid bursa (SAD) followed by a rehabilitation exercise protocol in terms of feasibility, pain relief, upper limb function, quality of life, and safety. METHODS: In this study, we recruited consecutive breast cancer women referring to a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Northern Italy and suffering from SAD bursitis in the absence of tendon lesions. Patients were assessed for eligibility and subsequently randomly assigned 1:1 to two groups. Group A received ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of the SAD bursa (lidocaine and triamcinolone acetate) followed by a rehabilitation exercise program of 5 sessions lasting 1 hour each., while Group B received ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection only. Patients were assessed at baseline (T0), after a week (T1), and after 3 months (T2). The outcomes were numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), handgrip strength (HGS) test, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Global Perceived Effect (GPE), and safety. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to Group A (n=19; mean age: 56.05 ± 10.30 years; body mass index (BMI): 23.58 ± 2.79 kg/m2) and Group B (n=18; mean age: 58.39 ± 12.09 years; BMI: 22.72 ± 3.16 kg/m2). No major or minor adverse events were reported after this multidisciplinary intervention. Statistically significant within-group differences were found in both groups in terms of NPRS after the treatment (p &lt; 0.05) and after the follow-up (p &lt; 0.05). The between-group analysis showed significant differences in pain intensity (NRS: 2.16 ± 1.39 vs 4.78 1.77; p &lt; 0.05), isometric muscle strength (25.11 3.20 vs 20.33 4.92; p&lt; 0.001), shoulder function (OSS: 17.00 3.27 vs 33.11 6.471; p&lt; 0.0001), and EORTC QLQ-C30 (Functional subscale: 88.74 7.71 vs 77.67 13.64; p=0.017; Symptom subscale: 11.43 8.56 vs 19.61 13.72; p=0.048; Global Health subscale: 79.36 13.72 vs 70.56 8.26; p=0.022) of the after the follow-up. However, no significant differences (p &gt; 0.05) were reported at T1. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that a comprehensive rehabilitation approach including ultrasound-guided injection combined with rehabilitation exercise might be safe, well-tolerated, and effective in breast cancer patients with SAD bursitis. These data emphasized the positive role of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation management in pain management and improving overall well-being of breast cancer patients. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-ups are needed to confirm our data. REFERENCES: 1. Nardin S et al. Breast Cancer Survivorship, Quality of Life, and Late Toxicities. Front Oncol 2020, 10, 864. 2. D’Egidio V et al. Counseling interventions delivered in women with breast cancer to improve health-related quality of life: a systematic review. Qual Life Res 2017, 26, 2573-2592, doi:10.1007/s11136-017-1613-6. 3. Hidding JT et al. Treatment related impairments in arm and shoulder in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review. PLoS One. 2014 May 9;9(5):e96748.

Citation Format: Lorenzo Lippi, Alessandro de Sire, Arianna Folli, Francesco D’Abrosca, Alessio Turco, Giuseppina Bonizzi, Nicola Fusco, Marco Invernizzi. Ultrasound-guided injection with or without rehabilitation exercise in breast cancer survivors with sub-acromion-deltoid bursitis: a pilot randomized clinical study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-08-08.