Effects of combined exercises on shoulder mobility and strength of the upper extremities in breast cancer rehabilitation: a 3-week randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of mobility training with FIVE® devices in combination with device-supported strength exercises for shoulder mobility and strength of the upper extremities in women with breast cancer. METHODS: We conducted a pretest-posttest intervention study with female breast cancer patients (n = 41) who were randomly assigned to two groups by lot during their stationary follow-up treatment at a rehabilitation clinic in the south of Germany between February and March 2020. As part of exercise therapy, the intervention group (n = 24) performed a mobility training with FIVE® devices combined with device-supported strength training, whereas the control group (n = 17) completed device-supported strength training. Before and after the 3-week intervention (3 training sessions/week), shoulder mobility and isokinetic maximal strength were tested. RESULTS: Both groups achieved significant improvements in shoulder mobility in the frontal and sagittal plane (between 3.8 and 15.35%; p < 0.05) and in strength performance (31.36% [IG] vs. 51.24% [CG]; p < 0.001). However, no robust evidence could be determined about potential interaction effects. CONCLUSION: A combined device-supported strength and mobility training (FIVE®) showed no advantages. Therefore, a variety of exercise methods is possible in exercise therapy of breast cancer patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Since the University of Education Weingarten does not assign clinical trial registration numbers or ethical approval numbers, none could be assigned for this study. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-023-07959-1.