Journal List > J Korean Oncol Nurs > v.11(3) > 1044430

Lee, Park, and Kim: Changes in Upper Extemity Sensation and the Quality of Life for Patients Following Mastectomy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the sensation changes in upper extremity and the quality of life for post-operative mastectomy patients.

Methods

This study used a descriptive study design. The participants were 132 women who had mastectomies after being diagnosed with breast cancer and were participating in breast cancer self-help groups. The sensation changes in the arm of the surgery site was measured by the arm symptoms which were subjective uncomfortable feelings of the affected arm, and the quality of life was measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-test, χ2-test and multiple regression with SPSS WIN 12.0 program.

Results

Patients with stage IV breast cancer had severe changes in sensation of the arm. Participants with lymphedema had statistically significant changes in sensation compared to participants without lymphedema, but the quality of life was not different between the two groups. Pain by the SF 36 was statistically different between the two groups, with- and without-lymphedema. The factors in upper extremity's sensation changes which influence on quality of life were pain and heaviness.

Conclusion

Nursing intervention for relieving pain and heaviness of the affected arm needs to be developed in order to improve QOL of the breast cancer survivors.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Socio-demographic and disease related characteristics of the participants (N=132)
jkon-11-229-i001

KRW, Korean won; OP, operation; CTx, chemo therapy; RTx, radio therapy.

Table 2
The change in sensation of the arm and quality of life by socio-demographic and disease related characteristics (N=132)
jkon-11-229-i002

KRW, Korean won.

Table 3
The change in sensation of the arm and quality of life in participants with and without lymphedema (N=132)
jkon-11-229-i003
Table 4
The symptoms on change in sensation of the arm which influence quality of life (N=132)
jkon-11-229-i004

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