• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.313-323
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• 2015

This study was performed to examine the prevalence of and risk factors for depression and anxiety among breast cancer survivors in their 40s. Completed questionnaires were collected from 609 breast cancer survivors in their 40s who agreed to participate the study. The mean scores of CES-D and GAD-7 were 16.35(SD=9.24) and 4.25(SD=4.17), respectively. Nearly 47.7% of the participants had depression and 10.3% had anxiety. The mean score of pain severity was 1.91(SD=1.60) and 10.9% of the participants reported more than moderate pain. The final model in the hierarchical regression analysis showed that pain interference, unemployment, the type of live-in partner, and past psychiatric disease were the significant risk factors for depression, and pain interference, unemployment and past psychiatric disease for anxiety. These results show the prevalence of depression and anxiety among breast cancer survivors in their 40s is high and suggest appropriate psychosocial intervention should be provided for high risk groups based on those risk factors.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2021

Objective: To confirm the safety of Intra-articular (IA) injection on the ipsilateral adhesive capsulitis (AC) after breast cancer surgery. Methods: Between January 2017 and May 2020, we retrospectively studied 29 patients after breast cancer surgery who underwent IA injection in the glenohumeral joint for AC in aseptic procedure. Results: There were no side effects or complications such as lymphedema or cellulitis in the patients. There was a significant improvement in pain score and range of motion (ROM) at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months visits compared to the baseline (p<0.05). The presence or absence of axillary lymph node dissection and radiation therapy had no significant difference in improvement of ROM. But, in rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) group, there was a significant difference in improvement of shoulder IR in patients without RCS. Conclusion: IA Injection on the ipsilateral AC after breast cancer surgery was safe and even effective to improve pain and shoulder ROM. Ipsilateral IA injection can be a good treatment for breast cancer surgery patients suffering from AC.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.280-290
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• 2022

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of complex decongestive therapy applications on upper extremity function in breast cancer patients who developed adhesive capsulitis after lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients who developed adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema were divided into two groups as study (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Both groups received 20 minutes of exercise five days a week for three weeks using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, as well as a hot pack and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) treatment to the shoulder joint. The study group received 45 minutes of intensive decongestive therapy along with the adhesive capsulitis treatment. The visual analogue scale was used to assess pain, circumference, and volumetric measurements were used to assess edema, and the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Problems Questionnaire (DASH: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) was used to assess upper extremity functionality. The shoulder range of motion was evaluated. Results: Both groups had improvements in pain (P < 0.001), shoulder joint range of motion (P < 0.001), and upper extremity functionality (P < 0.001) after the treatment. There was a significant decrease in circumference and volumetric measurements in the study group (P < 0.001). However, no differences were seen in measurements in the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that complex decongestive therapy was beneficial in reducing lymphedema in breast cancer patients who acquired adhesive capsulitis due to lymphedema. Consequently, the authors believe that supplementing conventional physiotherapy with complex decongestive therapy will benefit patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 2022

This study was a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of breast massage applied to women of childbearing age with cyclic mastagia on breast pain, breast hardness, nipple extensibility, breast size, and breast blood circulation. The study participants were 54 women with cyclic mastalgia who were recruited from Medical Center C, Women's Hospital M, department stores located in City D, and Internet cafes. The experimental treatment was to apply breast massage for a total of 30 minutes, 15 minutes each to the left and right breasts during the period of cyclic mastalgia. After experimental treatment, breast pain (F=49.16, p<.001), breast hardness (Rt t=8.93, p<.001; Lt t=-10.34, p<.001), nipple extensibility (Rt t=3.58, p<.001 ; Lt t=4.66, p<.001), breast size (Rt F=60.59, p<.001; Lt F=51.05, p<.001) and breast blood circulation (Rt t=-1.30, p=.201; Lt t=-2.82, p=.007) were significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, breast massage performed in this study was effective in relieving breast pain, relieving breast hardness, and improving breast blood circulation in participants with cyclic mastalgia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2021

Background: We aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of an erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with a tissue expander. Methods: Adult women undergoing IBR with a tissue expander after mastectomy were randomly assigned to either intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) alone (group P) or IV-PCA plus ESPB (group E). The primary outcome was the total amount of opioid consumption during 24 hours postoperatively between the two groups. Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction, pain score at rest and on shoulder movement using numerical rating scale, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and a short form of the brief pain inventory (BPI-SF) at 3 and 6 months after surgery between the groups. Results: Fifty eight patients completed the study. At 24 hours postoperatively, total opioid consumption was significantly less in group E than in group P (285.0 ± 92.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 250.1 to 320.0 vs. 223.2 ± 83.4, 95% CI: 191.5 to 254.9, P = 0.005). Intraoperative and cumulative PCA fentanyl consumption at 3, 6, 9, and 24 hours were also less in group E than in group P (P = 0.004, P = 0.048, P = 0.020, P = 0.036, and P < 0.001, respectively). Patient satisfaction was higher in group E (6.9 ± 1.8 vs. 7.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.042). The incidences of PONV was similar. Conclusions: The ESPB decreased postoperative opioid consumption and increased patient satisfaction without significant complications after IBR with a tissue expander after mastectomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2021

Background Despite evidence supporting the safety of breast implants, some women associate their implants with adverse health effects and have called this syndrome "breast implant illness." We sought to characterize breast implant illness symptoms and to report how implant removal affects their symptoms. Methods An anonymous 20 question survey was administered to the Facebook group: "UTAH Breast Implant Illness" to characterize the symptoms these women attributed to their breast implants. Several questions allowed us to evaluate how implant removal affected women's symptoms. Results Of the 182 respondents, 97% report that implants negatively affect their health and 95% identify these symptoms with breast implant illness. Ninety-six percent of respondents had implants placed for cosmetic reasons and 51% had silicone implants. The most common symptoms associated with breast implant illness are brain fog (95%), fatigue (92%), joint pain (80%), and hair loss (74%). Sixty percent of respondents learned about breast implant illness from family/friends and/or social media platforms (56%), 40% of respondents had their implants removed, and 97% report relief of their symptoms post-removal (23% complete, 74% partial). Following explantation, there was a significant improvement in all but one reported symptom. An association was found between the number of symptoms reported prior to explantation and the number of symptoms resolving following explantation. Conclusions Breast implant illness is a syndrome characterized by fatigue, decreased focus, hair loss, and joint pain after the placement of breast implants. Nearly all patients report improvement of symptoms after implant removal. Significant efforts should be made to better understand breast implant illness and its etiology.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.108-117
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify degrees of pain, menopause symptoms, and quality of life, and to identify factors influencing quality of life of patients with breast cancer who were on hormone therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized. Data were collected using questionnaires from 110 patients with breast cancer who had been on hormone therapy for 3 months or more and were being treated at a university hospital in Seoul. Data were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. Results: Mean age of the participants was 53.56 (SD=6.67) and 54 (51.4%) had stage 0 or I at the time of diagnosis. Most of the participants reported having pain and menopause symptoms (88.2% and 95.5% respectively). The mean score for quality of life was $87.84{\pm}21.17$. Pain, menopause symptoms and quality of life had strong correlations with each other (p<.005). Quality of life was explained by menopause symptoms (${\beta}$= -.71), economic status (${\beta}$=.20) and occupation (${\beta}$=.16). Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that menopause symptoms should be incorporated into oncologic nursing care to improve quality of life of patients with breast cancer on hormone therapy.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2021

Upper limb morbidity including shoulder pain, lymphedema, adhesive capsulitis, myofascial pain syndrome, and limited range of motions (LROMs) occurs frequently in breast cancer patients. Especially restricted upper limb motion aggravated by chronic lymphedema results in functional limitation and impaired activities of daily living (ADL). However, conventional rehabilitation therapy including complex decongestive therapy and stretching exercise is insufficient for managing advanced breast cancer patients with complex upper limb morbidity. Here, we report a case of breast cancer-related chronic lymphedema in a 62-years old female with severe LROM in all joints of the affected upper extremity that caused severe disability in ADL. Significant improvements in range of motion and upper extremity function were observed after serial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, ESWT might be recommended for managing the extensive limited joint motion which causes functional decline in a patient of chronic lymphedema with trophic skin change.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.190-194
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effectiveness of acupuncture on breast keloid. Methods: The acupuncture was used for relieving pain and pruritus. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated with inspection and patient's report. Results: After treatment, the symptoms of breast keloid were improved. Conclusion: This case report shows that the acupuncture relieves the pain and pruritus caused by keloid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of complex theraputic exercise on visual analog scale of pain, shoulder' range of motion for middle-aged women with breast cancer related lymphedema. METHODS: The 14 middle-aged women involved voluntary in this study and then they were divided into two groups(n =7 per group). The complex exercise program was implemented over 4 weeks, 60 minutes per day, with 3 types of exercise for stimulation whereas the control group was performed a classical decongestive physiotherapy in a same day. For data analysis, the mean and standard deviation were estimated; 2 way repeated measures ANOVA was carried out. RESULTS: First, The level of VAS was significantly reduced on time, interaction effect in the group. Second, most factors of ROM were significantly increased on time, interaction effect whereas extension was not significantly increased. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Our results showed that complex therapeutic exercise could improve or maintain VAS and ROM of shoulder joint for middle-aged women with breast cancer related lymphedema.