International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de réadaptation
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Prehabilitation benefits among patients undergoing various oncological surgeries have been demonstrated. However, the effects of presurgical exercise and fitness on postoperative ipsilateral upper extremity recovery outcomes in patients with breast cancer surgery are less evident. A systematic review was performed to assess the effects of preoperative exercise and fitness on postmastectomy recovery. ⋯ Baseline ipsilateral grip strength, shoulder flexion, and abduction ROM were reliable predictors of shoulder flexion and abduction ROM and grip strength improvements at 1 month following breast cancer surgery. One study showed that preoperative conditioning alone without postoperative rehabilitation was insufficient to aid recovery. Implementing exercise program and optimizing preoperative fitness, especially shoulder ROM, before breast cancer surgery in conjunction with individualized rehabilitation program may benefit postmastectomy ipsilateral upper extremity recovery.