Astym therapy improves function and range of motion following mastectomy

Abstract

Hypersensitive scar tissue formation along the incision line and drain site is a common side effect following mastectomy. If this scar tissue is not addressed, it can lead to decreased flexibility and function in the involved upper quadrant. Astym^® treatment is a new approach to soft tissue injuries, and is evidenced in animal studies to promote the healing and regeneration of soft tissues. It has also been found to reduce pain and increase function in people with soft tissue dysfunction. The aim of Astym treatment is to engage the regenerative mechanisms of the body in order to resorb scar tissue, stimulate tissue turnover, and regenerate soft tissues. Handheld instrumentation is applied topically to locate and treat the underlying dysfunctional soft tissue through specific protocols for the application of particular pressures and shear forces. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Astym treatment on activities of daily living in women who had undergone a mastectomy following a diagnosis of breast cancer. A quasi-experiment involving 40 women, following a mastectomy, evaluated five outcome measures pre- and post-Astym treatment. All five measurement scores: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Outcome Measure; a clothing questionnaire on their ability to wear a bra; Patient-Specific Functional Scale; active range of motion of shoulder flexion; and active range of motion of abduction were also measured and all demonstrated significant changes. In this study, Astym treatment improved active range of motion in the involved quadrant and also improved function in patients following a mastectomy.

Keywords:

• breast cancer
• quality of life
• scar tissue treatment
• physical therapy

Supplementary materials

Figure S1 Demonstrates the use of one of the Astym therapy tools over a mastectomy scar.

Table S1 Clothing restriction following breast surgery questionnaire (please rate your ability to do the following in the last week by circling the number by the appropriate response)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Baptist Health Lexington Medical Library staff who helped with this project. A small grant was provided by Performance Dynamics, Inc., to Baptist Health Lexington to offset some of the direct costs it incurred by allowing the study to take place at this institution.

Disclosure

Dr Davies is an occasional clinical consultant for Performance Dynamics, Inc., for Astym therapy advice in post-mastectomy patients. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.