Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the world. Lymphedema is a debilitating complication following mastectomy, affecting the arm functions and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Nordic walking is a form of walking that involves walking while holding poles similar to ski poles. Methods: Forty female patients after 6 months post modified radical mastectomy (MRM), with age between 45 to 60 years old .Subjects are defined as having upper limb muscle weakness and lymphedema on physical exam they recruited from surgery clinic in National cancer Institute, Cairo University and the patients received the physical therapy treatment in outpatient clinic of National cancer Institute. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The each group consisted of 20 patients. Group (A) received Nordic walking exercises for 8 weeks / 2 session per week group (B) received Active Resistive Exercises(ARE for 8weeks / 5 sessions per week , all patients were assessed pre and post treatment for these variables (Peak torque of shoulder flexors and extensors and lymphedema volume). Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant increase within both groups in muscle strength and reduction of lymphedema volume but group B had more improvement of upper limb muscle strength than group A and there was no significant difference in lymphedema between both groups

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