Low Level Laser Therapy in Treatment of Phantom Breast Pain

Abstract

Background: People who had a mastectomy may feel pain that comes from the breast that was cut off. These are called phantom breast  sensations (PB sensations) and phantom breast pain. Some of the problems that breast cancer patients have after treatment are a  limited range of motion in the shoulder, arm swelling, loss of shoulder strength and PB feeling.

Purpose: To investigate efficacy of low- level laser therapy on shoulder mobility and phantom breast pain postmastectomy.

Patients and methods: 44 patients with  postmastectomy phantom pain, their ages ranged from 20 to 50 years. They were randomly divided into two groups; Group (A) (study  group): received low level laser therapy combined with routine physical therapy exercises, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, Group (B)  (control group): received only routine physical therapy exercises, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used  to measure shoulder pain, goniometer was used to measure shoulder range of motion. Quality of life questionnaire was used to assess  functional state and symptoms.

Results: There was a significant decrease in VAS post treatment compared with that of pretreatment in  study group when compared with control group. Statistical analysis showed significant improvement in shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation post treatment compared with that of pretreatment in both groups. Statistical analysis showed significant improvement  in quality-of-life questionnaire post treatment compared with that of pretreatment in both groups.

Conclusion: Low level laser therapy  can improve shoulder ROM, quality of life scale and decrease phantom pain postmastectomy