Effects of BOSU Balance Training on Strength, Postural Balance, Range of Motion and Pain in Women with Breast Cancer after Chemotherapy

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and one of the deadliest diseases. Since the most important part of recovery from disabling side effects of surgery and treatment of breast cancer is the correction of a local deviations and imbalances. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a selected course of exercises on BOth Sides Up (BOSU) on strength, postural balance, range of motion and pain in women with breast cancer following chemotherapy.

In a semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group individuals of 16 females aged 40-50 years with breast cancer. The subjects were selected as available samples and then randomly divided into an intervention group (8) and control group (8). Before and after 4 weeks of selected exercise, 60 minutes and 3 sessions per week were assessed on improving strength with Dynamometer, Postural balance by getting up and down, range of motion with a goniometer, and pain with the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

The results of the t-sample of the pair have a significant difference in improving strength factors (p: 0.001), postural balance (p: 0.72), range of motion in flexion (p: 0.54), and in abduction (p: 0.02) and pain (p: 0.15) in the pre- and a post-test group of the intervention group and the results of independent t-analysis showed a significant difference in the improvement of strength factors (p:0.001), postural balance (p:0.001), range of motion in flexion (p:0.001), in abduction (p: 0.18) and pain (p:0.001) in the intervention group were quite significant (p = 0.005).

Selected exercises on BOSU ball appear to improve strength factors, postural balance, range of motion, and pain in women with breast cancer. Experts advise performing the exercises could improve the mentioned factors and for alleviating the discomfort of the patients.