Comparıson Of Exercıse Practıces Wıth Vırtual Realıty-Based Exercıse Traınıng In Radıotherapy Perıod After Breast Cancer Surgery


Thesis Type: Doctorate

Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON ANABİLİM DALI, Turkey

Approval Date: 2020

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: İLKNUR ONURLU

Supervisor: İlke Keser

Abstract:

Exercise therapies are effective methods in the treatment of complications after breast cancer surgery.

The study aims to compare exercise practices with virtual reality-based exercise training during

radiotherapy period after breast cancer surgery. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups as

virtual reality group (n:22), exercise group (n:22) and control group (n:22), considering the order of

arrival at the clinic and the type of surgery (mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery). Patients in

virtual reality group (n:22) received virtual reality-based exercise training using Xbox 360 Kinect.

Patients in exercise group (n:22) received an exercise program including range of motion, posture,

stretching and breathing exercises. Both exercise groups participated in the exercise program for 30-

40 minutes, 3 days a week, as long as radiotherapy continued (5-6 weeks). Patients in control group

(n:22) received any exercise as in the current practice. Patients were evaluated for shoulder

movements by universal goniometer, for hand grip strength by Jamar hand dynamometer, for

shoulder proprioception by Cybex (Lumex,NY,USA) izokinetic dynamometer, for functionality by

‘Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH)’, for kinesiophobia by ‘Tampa

kinesiophobia scale’, for anxiety and depression by ‘Hospital anxiety and depression scale’,for

fatique by ‘Piper fatique scale’ and for quality of life by ‘European Organization for Research and

Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)’. All evaluations were done

at the begining and at the end of the radiotherapy. As a result, shoulder range of motions in the

exercise group showed significant increase in all directions (flexion, extension, abduction, internal

and external rotation) (p<0,05). In the virtual reality group, there was significant increase only

shoulder internal and external rotation movements)(p<0,05). In both groups, improvement in

shoulder functions, decrease in fatigue level, increases in quality of life associated with symptoms

and functional status were significant(p<0,05). Hand grip strength, proprioception, kinesiophobia,

lymphedema, anxiety and depression level did not change in either group(p>0,05). In conclusion,

while exercises accompanied by a physiotherapist have proven once again to have an important role

in the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients, virtual reality-based exercises have also been shown to

be a method that can be used with standard therapies in this patient group.

Key Words : Breast cancer, Visual reality, Exercise, Radiotherapy