Updates on the preventions and management of post-mastectomy pain syndrome beyond medical treatment: a comprehensive narrative review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions, including mindfulness, for managing post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) in breast cancer patients.
Results Summary
The study found limited evidence suggesting mindfulness may have potential efficacy for PMPS treatment, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. Only one article on mindfulness was identified in the literature search.
Population
Breast cancer survivors with post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
surgical anesthetics | decrease | post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) | breast cancer patients | - | investigated for PMPS prevention | #1 |
postoperative medications | decrease | post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) | breast cancer patients | - | investigated for PMPS prevention | #2 |
surgical procedures | decrease | post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) | breast cancer patients | - | investigated for PMPS prevention | #3 |
mindfulness | decrease | post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) | breast cancer patients | - | show potential efficacy | #4 |
yoga | decrease | post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) | breast cancer patients | - | show potential efficacy | #5 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: With the significant advances in breast cancer treatment, the survival rates have improved. Consequently, improving the quality of life for breast cancer survivors has emerged an important issue. In this study, we examined the management of post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) in breast cancer patients thorough a comprehensive literature review. We introduce the preventive measures and pharmacotherapy for PMPS in breast cancer patients and discuss the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions. METHODS: We conducted a literature search for relevant articles in Medline ALL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, and nine other databases from October 2023 to January 2024. Chronic pain was defined as pain persisting for more than 3 months after breast cancer surgery. The search included terms related to PMPS, psychological interventions, and breast cancer. Data extraction was done independently by two reviewers, and any discrepancies will be discussed to ensure consensus or by a third reviewer. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Studies have investigated surgical anesthetics, postoperative medications, and surgical procedures for PMPS prevention, but few have focused on treatment. Our literature search about the usefulness of psychosocial interventions yielded two articles, one was about the usefulness of mindfulness and the other was about the efficacy of yoga. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness and yoga show potential efficacy for PMPS treatment, but the evidence is limited. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore other psychosocial interventions.