EFFECTS OF SWISS BALL EXERCISE AND STRETCHING EXERCISE IN CHEST WALL MOBILITY AND SHOULDER RANGE OF MOTION AMONG POST-OPERATIVE BREAST CANCER WOMEN

Abstract

Objectives of the Study: The objectives of the study were to determine and compare the effects of Swiss ball exercises and stretching exercises in improving chest expansion, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and shoulder range of motion (ROM) among post-operative breast cancer women. Methods: The study included 20 females who underwent surgery for breast carcinoma. Each group consists of 10 participants who were assessed for chest expansion at three levels, FEV1, and shoulder ROM for flexion and abduction. Group A was treated with Swiss ball exercises and Group B was treated with stretching exercises for a period of 4 weeks, 5 days/week following which post-test was performed same as of pre-test. Results: Comparison between Swiss ball Group A and stretching Group B shows the chest expansion measurement at axillary level has a significant difference between the groups with p=0.0001, fourth intercostal level showed a difference in mean with p=0.004 and xiphisternal level p-value observed as (0.001), FEV1 between the group also shows significant changes in the post-test with a p=0.0481 and shoulder flexion ROM was increased in post-test when compared to pre-test scores with a p=0.0042 and abduction ROM also showed a significant difference with p=0.0463. Thereby, the post-test scores of Group A are higher than the Group B. Conclusion: Exercise training on Swiss ball is more effective than stretching in treating post-operative breast cancer patients.