Resumo Introdução: O câncer de mama é o tipo de câncer mais comum entre as mulheres. Os tratamentos podem levar a complicações, modificando os padrões de movimento dos membros superiores e gerando dor e perda de funcionalidade. A cinesioterapia e a reorganização miofascial (RM) têm demonstrado efeitos positivos na redução da dor crônica e na melhora da função dos membros superiores. A hipótese do presente estudo é que essas técnicas podem maximizar os resultados e reduzir o tempo de tratamento na prática clínica. Objetivo: Desenvolver um protocolo para verificar se a RM associada à cinesioterapia é mais eficaz do que a cinesioterapia isolada no tratamento da dor crônica e disfunção do membro superior em sobreviventes de câncer de mama. Métodos: As participantes serão divididas em dois grupos: grupo intervenção (reorganização miofascial + cinesioterapia) e grupo sham (massagem tradicional + cinesioterapia). Serão realizadas seis sessões de tratamento (uma vez por semana) e três avaliações. Os instrumentos de avaliação da dor e da funcionalidade serão a Escala Visual Analógica, o Diagrama de Dor Corporal, o Questionário de Deficiências do Braço, Ombro e Mão e a goniometria. A análise estatística será realizada com base na análise de intenção de tratar. Para analisar a diferença de médias entre os grupos, serão utilizados o teste T-Student ou U Mann-Whitney. ANOVA de medidas repetidas será utilizada para verificar os efeitos dos tratamentos. O nível de significância para todos os testes será de 5%. Conclusão: Espera-se que a RM associada à cinesioterapia melhore a dor crônica e a funcionalidade dos membros superiores de sobreviventes de câncer de mama.

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Treatments can lead to complications modifying upper limbs movement patterns and generating pain and functionality loss. Kinesiotherapy and myofascial reorganization (MR) have shown positive effects reducing chronic pain and improving upper limbs function. We hypothesize that these techniques can maximize results and reduce treatment time in clinical practice. Objective: To develop a study protocol to verify whether MR associated with kinesiotherapy is more effective than isolated kinesiotherapy to treat chronic pain and upper limb dysfunction in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Participants will be divided into two groups: intervention group (myofascial reorganization + kinesiotherapy) and sham group (traditional massage + kinesiotherapy). Six treatment sessions (once a week) and three-time assessment will occur. Instruments for assessing pain and functionality will be Visual Analogue Scale, Body Pain Diagram, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, and goniometry. Statistical analysis will be conducted based on intention-to-treat analysis. To analyze the difference of means between groups, we will use T-Student or U Mann-Whitney test. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to check treatments effects. Significance level for all tests will be 5%. Conclusion: We believe that the developed study protocol will show that MR associated with kinesiotherapy improve chronic pain and upper limbs functionality of breast cancer survivors.

Abstract Aim: To characterize functional outcomes and oncological fatigue in older cancer patients, and verify the relation of these outcomes with age, number of hospitalizations, and falls within 12-months. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 116 older adults with cancer undergoing treatment in a hospital in Santiago de Chile. Participants were assessed for independence on the activity of daily living (Barthel index), functional mobility with “timed up and go” (TUG) test, handgrip strength with a Baseline® Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer, and fatigue with Brief Fatigue Inventory. Information about the number of falls and hospitalizations from the previous 12-months was also collected. Results: 21.6% had experienced at least one fall during the previous 12-months, and 52% had been hospitalized over the same period. Handgrip strength was below the cut-off thresholds for older adults and 78.4% were classified with the risk of falls according to the TUG test. Forty-nine percent of participants experienced moderate fatigue, and 58% were dependent to perform activities of daily living. There was a correlation of TUG results with age (r = 0.204; p = 0.028). Conclusions: Older adults with cancer in our study experienced moderate fatigue, a high dependence to perform activities of daily living, especially those associated with mobility, dressing, and bladder or bowel function. Older adults with cancer are more likely to develop functional decline which leads to increased dependency or death. The data suggests they present functional impairment. Physical activity interventions would benefit this population.