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Investigation of the relationship between spinal posture and mobility to respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions in unilateral breast cancer surgery survivors: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Purpose

Despite the research on structural and functional changes that may occur in breast cancer survivors, no study has investigated the relationship between spinal characteristics and the respiratory system. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between spinal posture and mobility to respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions in breast cancer patients who have completed their treatment

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 38 female breast cancer surgery survivors. Participants underwent the following evaluations: Chest wall mobility with a tapeline; postural assessments (spinal curvature, spinal mobility, and spinal inclination) with a non-invasive, computer-assisted electromechanical device; and pulmonary function test and respiratory muscle strength with a portable digital spirometer device. The relationship between spinal posture and mobility to respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions was analyzed by the bivariate correlation analysis.

Results

Increased thoracic curvature angle was associated with decreased FEV1 (r=−0.360, p=0.026) and decreased subcostal mobility (r=−0.385, p=0.017), and the increase in thoracic frontal mobility was associated with decrease in PEF (r=−0.342, p=0.036). Increased lumbar mobility was associated with increased FVC (r=0.324, p=0.047), and increased total spinal inclination mobility was associated with decreased MIP (r=−0.396, p=0.017). Chest wall mobility was associated with postural assessments at varying rates (the r value ranged from −0.357 to 0.661, p<0.05).

Conclusion

The changes in spinal posture and mobility of women who have undergone unilateral breast cancer surgery were associated with respiratory parameters and thoracic cage mobility. These patients’ spinal posture and mobility should be taken into account in conjunction with respiratory functions for a comprehensive assessment.

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Data availability

The data sets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit at Izmir Katip Celebi University.

Funding

The study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit at Izmir Katip Celebi University (2018-GAP-SABF-00007).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey

    Sevtap Gunay Ucurum, Elvan Felekoglu, Ilknur Naz & Derya Ozer Kaya

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey

    Korhan Baris Bayram

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey

    Ahmet Alacacioglu

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  1. Sevtap Gunay Ucurum
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Contributions

All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Study design and data collection were performed by Sevtap Gunay Ucurum, Ilknur Naz, Derya Ozer Kaya, Korhan Baris Bayram ,and Ahmet Alacacıoglu. Data analysis, drafting of the manuscript, and critical revision were made by Sevtap Gunay Ucurum, Elvan Felekoglu, Ilknur Naz, and Derya Ozer Kaya.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sevtap Gunay Ucurum.

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Ethics approval

The study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Non-invasive Research Ethics Board of Izmir Katip Celebi University (Izmir, Turkey).

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Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study according to procedures approved by the Institutional Review Board.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ucurum, S.G., Felekoglu, E., Naz, I. et al. Investigation of the relationship between spinal posture and mobility to respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions in unilateral breast cancer surgery survivors: a cross-sectional study. Support Care Cancer 31, 714 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08138-y

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