Belzora Lovett
Research Mentor(s): David Lipps
Mentor Department: Movement Science
Authors: Belzora Lovett, David Lipps, Layla Lynch
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 50
Abstract
Over 50% of breast cancer survivors experience upper myofascial pain following radiation treatment. This is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, mainly affecting the pectoral muscles, and leads to decreased shoulder range of motion. Currently, post-treatment function is restored by educating patients on how to complete exercises on their own. This solution is ineffective for many patients as self-directed exercises cannot be monitored, and patients may not have the time, motivation, or energy to perform them consistently. Recently, there have been findings suggesting that myofascial massage has acute effects on the pectoralis major by relaxing the muscle and breaking up scar tissue, specifically in breast cancer survivors. There is a notable knowledge gap, however, regarding the underlying mechanisms of how massage directly improves these side effects and if this is related to pain experienced post-treatment. We hypothesize that myofascial massage of the upper quadrant will decrease pectoralis major stiffness. This study is actively recruiting 20 breast cancer survivors with self-reported upper quadrant myofascial pain. Participants received one 30-minute session of myofascial massage. The primary outcome measured is pectoralis major stiffness, measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography. These outcome measures were assessed before the massage intervention, immediately afterward, and 60 minutes afterward. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and PEQ were two pain surveys used before and one week after massage treatment was done on each participant. While the study is ongoing, preliminary results suggest that the use of myofascial massage on participants with upper quadrant myofascial pain increases muscle and fascia stiffness at more medial sites immediately and one hour after massage completion. Patient-reported outcomes suggest almost every patient reported decreased pain measures in both BPI and PEQ surveys one week after massage, suggesting that there could be a relationship between myofascial massage and decreased shoulder pain in the short term.
