Promoção do auto-cuidado após cirurgia da mama: Resultados de um programa de reabilitação

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical treatment for breast cancer has improved, but there are interventions, particularly those involving axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), which imply greater functional limitations and compromise women's self-care. Aims: The aim of this study was to find out about the benefits of a rehabilitation nursing program for women undergoing breast surgery with AGE in terms of promoting self-care. Methodology: Quantitative, quasi-experimental study, applied to 48 women, recruited at a Hospital Center between 2018 and 2019. For three months, a rehabilitation nursing program was implemented at the participants' homes, which included a health education session on measures to reduce the risk of lymphedema, mobilization exercises for the cervical spine and upper limb homolateral to the surgery, and arm and scar massage. The assessment tool used was the DASH questionnaire. Results: After implementing the program, the women showed significant improvements in: the symptoms of pain, numbness, weakness and stiffness in the arm, shoulder and hand; the functionality of the upper limb homolateral to the surgery (p <0.001), as well as the capacity for self-care, namely washing/drying hair, washing the back and putting on a sweater/pullover. The total DASH score went from 54.4 to 8.1 after the program. Conclusion: This rehabilitation nursing program proved to be effective in improving alterations to the upper limb, namely symptoms (pain, numbness, weakness and stiffness in the arm, shoulder and hand), and consequently, the improvement in symptoms improves the ability to carry out activities of daily living, positively influencing the participants' self-care.