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Recovery from breast cancer surgery is challenging, and much work is needed to regain arm strength, shoulder mobility, and freedom from arm swelling.  A Spanish meta-analysis, just published in the European Journal of Cancer Care, shows that Nordic walking has a significant, positive impact on arm edema, physical fitness, disability, and patient optimism.

The investigators reviewed 4 randomized, controlled studies and 5 before-after studies.  Although the duration of Nordic walking exercise varied widely between studies, this type of exercise reduced arm circumference and extracellular edema fluid, improved upper body strength, increased shoulder range of motion, and improved quality of life.

Although many of the study methodologies could have been better, the overall conclusion is that Nordic walking withworld-wide  ski-type poles is a valuable addition to rehabilitation therapy after breast cancer surgery.

Miguel A. Sánchez‐Lastra Jorge Torres Iván Martínez‐Lemos Carlos Ayán.

Nordic walking for women with breast cancer: A systematic review.  European Journal of Cancer Care. 06 August 2019.  https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13130

#Breastcancer #Nordicwalking #lymphedema #rehabilitation