No abstract

Modified radical mastectomy leads to dissection of muscles and soft tissue structures and chemotherapy causes weakness of the muscles involved resulting in functional limitations that affects the activities of daily life. Graded resistance exercise is effective in improving muscle strength, functional capacity and activities of daily life. To find the effect of graded thera-band exercises on shoulder muscle strength and activities of daily life in modified radical mastectomy patients. A total of 40 females who underwent mastectomy procedure along with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast carcinoma were included based on inclusion criteria. Group A received conventional strengthening program with weights and group B received thera-band exercises for five days per week for eight weeks and pre and post assessment was done with Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand(DASH) Questionnaire and Manual Muscle Testing(MMT). Statistical results within group values for Conventional strengthening program for DASH (p = <0.0001) and mean difference(MD) was 2.58, MMT for Shoulder flexion (p=0.867),MD= -0.15 and extension(p=0.046),MD= -2, abduction (p=0.775),MD= -0.3, internal rotation (p=0.701),MD= -0.35 and external rotation (p=0.039),MD= -1.65. The within group statistical results for experimental group for DASH (p=<0.0001),MD=4.98 , MMT for Shoulder flexion (p=0.012),MD= -2.05, extension (p=0.0007),MD= -2.1 and external rotation(p=0.036),MD= -2.2, abduction (p=0.055),MD= -1.65 and internal rotation (p=0.051),MD= -1.4 . The results conclude that strengthening with thera-band showed more better effect compared to conventional strengthening program. Strengthening exercise program with thera-band showed significant improvement in the outcome variables on strength and activities of daily life involving shoulder, arm and hand.