Efficacy of Physical Therapy Interventions on Quality of Life and Upper Quadrant Pain Severity in Women With Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract Purpose: To determine the efficacy of physical therapy interventions on quality of life (QoL) and pain severity in women with post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS).Methods: Multiple databases were searched from database inception-October 2020. Randomized controlled trials comparing physical therapy interventions to control were included. Results: Eighteen trials were included in the review. The pooled analysis of the four exercise trials revealed a statistically significant effect of the intervention on general (p=0.001), physical (p=0.044) and mental health components (p=0.027) of QoL, when compared to the control condition. Pooled analysis of data from six exercise trials revealed a significant effect of exercise interventions compared to control on pain severity (p<0.001). Meta-analysis of data from two myofascial release trials showed a significantly greater reduction in pain severity in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.04). The pooled analysis of data from two acupuncture trials revealed a significant reduction in pain severity in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.003). Pooled analysis of data from two trials revealed a non-significant effect of compression therapy compared to control on pain severity (p>0.05) Conclusion: This review found that exercise is beneficial for improving QoL and alleviating upper quadrant pain severity in women with PMPS. Myofascial release and acupuncture were more effective than the control condition in reducing the pain severity in PMPS. The effect of compression therapy, complex decongestive therapy and neuromuscular taping on PMPS remains inconclusive, and future research is required to validate the effect of these interventions on PMPS.