Smarika Khadka
Research Mentor(s): David Lipps
Department or Program: Kinesiology
Authors: Smarika Khadka, Daniel Hertz, David Lipps
Session: Session 2: 1:00pm-1:50pm
Poster: 23
Abstract
Breast cancer patients undergo mastectomy with breast reconstruction to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and restore the shape of the breast mound. Many patients experience restricted arm movement and increased shoulder pain after breast reconstruction. The current method of evaluating upper extremity range of motion (UEROM) in the clinic is to perform a subjective exam comparing the mobility of the affected and unaffected arms. Biosensors in smartphones give them the ability to collect position and motion data, which makes them a promising alternative to clinical examination. Our research team developed MotionDetect, an iOS application that instructs patients and measures their maximal UEROM during two movements, including lifting their arm either forward or to the side. Patients were asked to wear inertial measurement units (IMUs) while using the app as a gold standard measure of UEROM. Data was collected from nine patients before their mastectomy and one month after their surgery. When comparing pre surgery measurements to post surgery, the MotionDetect app showed an average 12.4 degree reduction in shoulder flexion and an average 13.4 degree reduction in shoulder abduction, while the IMU showed an average 3.9 degree reduction in shoulder flexion and an average 7.2 degree reduction in shoulder abduction. This suggests the MotionDetect app may capture UEROM limitations after breast cancer surgery better than wearable IMUs. Development of a smartphone app that efficiently captures UEROM changes in breast cancer patients after mastectomy may better identify patients in need of rehabilitative care.
