Protective myoelectric activity at performing upper limb neurodynamic test 1 in breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Myoelectric activity and range of motion during ULNT1 were recorded in 62 breast cancer (BC) survivors who had axillary lymph node dissection (n=30) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (n=32) within the previous 18 months, and 63 agematched healthy women. BC survivors’ symptoms were reproduced by ULNT1 and exhibited greater myoelectric activity in the biceps brachii than healthy women (MD (95% CI): 21,26 (10,83-31,70)). No differences between the axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node biopsy groups (MD (95% CI): 8,47 (-7,84-24,79)) were found. Myoelectric activity in the triceps brachii was greater in the sentinel lymph node biopsy group (MD (95% CI): 2,70 (-2,06- 7,60)). BC survivors exhibited less shoulder and elbow range of motion during ULNT1 than healthy women. Increased upper limb nerve mechanosensitivity in BC survivors was associated with a greater protective muscle response during ULNT1.