Physical prehabilitation in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review

Introduction: In 2023, 35,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, becoming the first type of tumour diagnosed in Spain. This tumour and its treatments generate important changes in the patient's quality of life. Alterations in the range of motion, pain and both physical and psychological disability are some of the effects that breast cancer generates in patients. Physical prehabilitation could be an opportunity to prevent some of these adverse effects.

Objective: The objective of this review was to analyse the changes in objective and subjective variables in patients with breast cancer who undergo prehabilitation compared to those who perform other interventions.

Material and method: Eight databases were used for the bibliographic search of the present review. Following the selected inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven studies were analysed. The quality of these studies was assessed with the PEDro scale. The structural characteristics of the various articles were examined, as well as the objective (ROM and biomarker) and subjective study variables (pain, physical and mental recovery, quality of life and psychological aspects.

Results: A total of 1054 patients were analysed in the present review. All objective variables improved in the group that underwent physical prehabilitation. Subjective variables also improved in said group, although the improvement achieved in psychological aspects was not maintained over time.

Conclusion: Physical prehabilitation is an interesting strategy to generate changes in breast cancer patients.