TY - JOUR
T1 - The effectiveness of the sport "dragon boat racing" in reducing the risk of lymphedema incidence
T2 - An observational study
AU - Iacorossi, Laura
AU - Gambalunga, Francesca
AU - Molinaro, Simona
AU - De Domenico, Rosaria
AU - Giannarelli, Diana
AU - Fabi, Alessandra
PY - 2019/7/1
Y1 - 2019/7/1
N2 - Background Upper extremity lymphedema is a complication that often occurs in women with breast cancer as a result of surgery and/or radiotherapy. Some studies report that a boating activity known as the "dragon boat" sport can benefit these women. Aim The aim of this study was to assess whether this type of sport prevents or reduces lymphedema, its impact on quality of life (QoL), and the possible predictors of this condition. Methods This was an observational study of 2 groups: Group A (women who participated in dragon boat racing for at least 6 months) and group B (women who participated in other forms of physical exercise biweekly). Data were collected at the National Cancer Institute of Rome and the lake of Castel Gandolfo from June to October 2016. The instruments used were a questionnaire created for sociodemographic and clinical data, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire for evaluating QoL, and a tape measure applied to estimate the local lymphedema. Results One hundred women participated in the study. Lymphedema incidence in group A was 4.0% (2 of 50), whereas in group B it was 26.0% (13 of 50). Women who participated in dragon boat racing also reported a healthier lifestyle, lower body mass index, and a better QoL (set point: 61.8 group B vs 80.0 group A). Conclusions The dragon boat sport participants had more positive clinical and QoL outcomes than did the women who did not participate in that sporting activity. Implications for Clinical Practice It would be important to make women with breast cancer aware of the practice of dragon boat racing.
AB - Background Upper extremity lymphedema is a complication that often occurs in women with breast cancer as a result of surgery and/or radiotherapy. Some studies report that a boating activity known as the "dragon boat" sport can benefit these women. Aim The aim of this study was to assess whether this type of sport prevents or reduces lymphedema, its impact on quality of life (QoL), and the possible predictors of this condition. Methods This was an observational study of 2 groups: Group A (women who participated in dragon boat racing for at least 6 months) and group B (women who participated in other forms of physical exercise biweekly). Data were collected at the National Cancer Institute of Rome and the lake of Castel Gandolfo from June to October 2016. The instruments used were a questionnaire created for sociodemographic and clinical data, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire for evaluating QoL, and a tape measure applied to estimate the local lymphedema. Results One hundred women participated in the study. Lymphedema incidence in group A was 4.0% (2 of 50), whereas in group B it was 26.0% (13 of 50). Women who participated in dragon boat racing also reported a healthier lifestyle, lower body mass index, and a better QoL (set point: 61.8 group B vs 80.0 group A). Conclusions The dragon boat sport participants had more positive clinical and QoL outcomes than did the women who did not participate in that sporting activity. Implications for Clinical Practice It would be important to make women with breast cancer aware of the practice of dragon boat racing.
KW - Dragon boat
KW - Lymphedema
KW - Mastectomy
KW - Quality of life
KW - Sports
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U2 - 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000615
DO - 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000615
M3 - Article
C2 - 29933309
AN - SCOPUS:85063633960
VL - 42
SP - 323
EP - 331
JO - Cancer Nursing
JF - Cancer Nursing
SN - 0162-220X
IS - 4
ER -