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The Benefits of a Therapeutic Exercise and Educational Intervention Program on Central Sensitization Symptoms and
Daniel Gutiérrez-Sánchez1, Bella I Pajares-Hachero2, Manuel Trinidad-Fernández3
1Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Malaga, Spain; Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
Background:
Central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance are two common problems in breast cancer survivors. Non-pharmacologic interventions such as therapeutic exercise and patient education can be effective in this population.
Aims:
This study aimed to: (1) analyze the benefits of a therapeutic exercise and educational program on central sensitization symptoms and pain-related fear avoidance in breast cancer survivors, and (2) explore the association between pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms.
Design:
A single group pre-post intervention study was conducted.
Methods:
Patients were recruited from the service of Medical Oncology of the University Clinical Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, in Málaga (Spain). The intervention consisted of a therapeutic exercise and educational program that lasted 12 weeks, twice a week, for 1 hour. Two instruments were used: the Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale.
Results:
A total of 82 breast cancer survivors participated in the study. Pre-post change on Central Sensitization Inventory was statistically significant (p = .007). There was a trend towards a significant difference for the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale (p = .062). There was a statistically significant correlation between pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms (r = 0.536, p < .001).
Conclusions:
The current study has provided preliminary evidence on the benefits of this intervention in pain-related fear avoidance and central sensitization symptoms in breast cancer survivors. The Spanish version of the Central Sensitization Inventory and the Spanish Fear Avoidance Components Scale demonstrated responsiveness to change.
