Examination of clinical and laboratory measures of static and dynamic balance in breast cancer survivors

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Balance in breast cancer survivors is understudied. Increased understanding of how postural control is affected when the body is stationary, moving, or engaged in a concurrent cognitive task, can aid clinicians who work with this population in identifying how altered postural control may indicate a potential functional decline. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare performance on several assessments of static and dynamic balance, with and without a concurrent cognitive task, in women with and without a history of breast cancer.

Methods: Twenty-three women without a history of cancer (controls), and 20 women who were breast cancer survivors participated in the study. Static balance was assessed using the Single Leg Stance Test (SLS) and the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT), the latter of which also included a serial sevens cognitive task. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FABS).

Results: Breast cancer survivors performed significantly worse on the TUG and the FABS compared to controls (p < .02). Performance on the SLS and SOT was largely similar between groups, including performance on the SOT with the serial sevens task (p > .05).

Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors who were 0–5 years post-treatment appeared to exhibit similar static postural stability compared to controls, while some aspects of dynamic balance appeared altered. Assessing balance changes provides clinically useful information when constructing specific interventions aimed to improve function in these individuals post-treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Breast cancer survivor
• chemotherapy
• balance

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.