Publication
Title
Effectiveness of botulinum toxin a for persistent upper limb pain after breast cancer treatment : a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Author
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of a single botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) infiltration in the pectoralis major muscle in addition to a standard physical therapy program for treatment of persistent upper limb pain in breast cancer survivors. Design: Double-blinded (patient and assessor) randomized controlled trial. Setting: A university hospital. Participants: Breast cancer patients (N=50) with pain. Intervention: The intervention group received a single BTX-A infiltration. The control group received a placebo (saline) infiltration. Within 1 week after the infiltration, all patients attended an individual physical therapy program (12 sessions) during the first 3 months and a home exercise program up to 6 months after infiltration. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was change in pain intensity at the upper limb (visual analog scale, 0-100) after 3 months. Secondary outcomes were prevalence rate of pain, pressure hypersensitivity, pain quality, shoulder function, and quality of life. Measures were taken before the intervention and at 1, 3, and 6 months' follow-up. Results: No significant difference in change in pain intensity after 3 months was found (mean difference in change, 3/100; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13 to 19). From baseline up to 6 months, a significantly different change in upper limb pain intensity was found between groups in favor of the intervention group (mean difference in change, 16/100; 95% CI, 1-31). Conclusions: A single BTX-A infiltration in combination with an individual physical therapy program significantly decreased pain intensity at the upper limb in breast cancer survivors up to 6 months. However, the effect size was not clinically relevant, and no other beneficial effects were found. (C) 2018 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
Language
English
Source (journal)
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. - Chicago, Ill., 1952, currens
Publication
Chicago, Ill. : 2018
ISSN
0003-9993 [print]
1532-821X [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.APMR.2017.12.032
Volume/pages
99 :7 (2018) , p. 1342-1351
ISI
000437552100012
Pubmed ID
29409922
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.08.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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