Effects of Chinese medicine comprehensive care combined with art painting therapy in upper limb lymphedema and shoulder joint mobility after breast cancer surgery

This study aimed to examine the effects of a Chinese medicine-based comprehensive nursing program combined with art painting therapy on upper limb lymphedema and shoulder joint mobility after breast cancer surgery. 60 patients who visited our hospital from July to December 2022 were selected as a control group while 60 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January and June 2023 were selected as observational group . Compared to the control group using conventional interventions, the observational group applied a Chinese medicine comprehensive nursing program combined with an art painting therapy intervention. The shoulder joint function of both groups before intervention and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks after intervention was compared. Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome Score (CMS), postoperative shoulder joint mobility, and upper limb lymphedema incidence were measured in both groups 8 weeks after intervention. The observational group’s CMS was significantly higher than the control group after 2, 4 and 8 weeks after intervention (p < 0.05). The observational group’s shoulder joint mobility was significantly higher than in the control group. A significantly lower incidence of postoperative lymphedema was observed in the observational group 8 weeks after intervention compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In summary, the Chinese medicine comprehensive nursing program combined with art painting therapy after breast cancer surgery enhances patients’ shoulder joint function recovery, reduces upper limb dysfunction, and reduces upper limb lymphedema.

Breast cancer survivor; Traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive nursing care; Art painting therapy; Shoulder function

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