Relationship between post-surgical time and impact on the functionaliry and quality of life of women undergoing breast cancer treatment

• Grant number: 24/06214-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira Guirro
• Grantee: Laura Okuha Pires
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Surgical intervention is the primary treatment modality for breast cancer and can directly impact the functionality of the upper limbs (UL) and the quality of life in women undergoing treatment. The study's objective is to assess the influence of post-surgical time on upper limb functionality and well-being in Brazilian women through the analysis of questionnaires that evaluate functional capacity and quality of life. To this end, 175 women will be evaluated using the following questionnaires: Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), Upper Limb Function Index (ULFI), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The volume of the affected upper limb and the shoulder's range of motion will also be assessed. Descriptive analysis of the study's outcome variables will be performed using measures of central tendency (mean and median) and measures of dispersion (minimum and maximum values, standard deviation) for continuous variables, and relative and absolute frequencies for dichotomous variables. The statistical package SPSS 17.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) will be used for data analysis, with a significance level set at 5%. The study's aim is to support research focused on determining effective and targeted therapeutic interventions for the population under consideration.