Does Pilates Exercise Change the Memory, Attention and Balance in Women with Lymphedema after Modified Mastectomy?

 Breast cancer as the most common cancer and deadliest malignancy among women is one of the most important health concerns in the world. Therefore, the present study was conducted in response to the question of whether the Pilates training method affects the memory, attention, and balance of women with lymphedema after modified mastectomy.

 In this quasi-experimental clinical trial, we studied 20 women with an average and standard division in (age, 43.03±5.61year), height (163.85±4.63 cm) and weight (67±3.95 kg). Our subjects referred to Shahid Motahari clinic, Shiraz, Iran in 2019 with lymphedema after modified mastectomy. They were randomly divided into two groups: Pilates and control. The experimental group performed Pilate’s exercises for 2 weeks, 3 days a week with 60 minutes long each session. Memory, attention, and balance before and after the training program were assessed using one-way analysis of covariance and paired t-test at a significance level of 0.05.

 Statistical analysis of age, height, and weight showed no differences between the two groups. Statistical analysis of paired t-test indicated a significant difference in pre-test and post-test scores of the training group, yet this difference was not significant in the control group. Moreover, one-way analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between the two groups in pre to post- tests in the tests of Stroop test [exercise (pre): 449.70±45, (post): 421.30±58.13; Control (pre): 461.30±23.17, (post): 457.10±22.20, P=0.014), n-back [Exercise (pre): 69.50±19.69; (post): 88.00±13.23; Control (pre): 79.40±17.48, (post): 82.00±10.74 P=0.016), and Flamingo [Exercise(pre): 18.49 ±18.92; (post): 51.57±43.02; Control (pre): 10.85±4.36, (post): 10.83±3.91, P=0.001]. Attention: (431.30±33.59), (461±11.12), memory: (72.50±17.34), (90±8.27), and static balance: (9.96±4.23), (29.39±7.00). In control group, the mean and standard deviation of the scores were as follows: attention: (465.90±10.56), (462.60±6.99), memory: (79.40±17.48), (85.90±4.45), and static balance: (10.85±4.36), (10.83±3.91).

 According to our findings, it could be concluded that women with breast cancer can use the benefits of Pilates along with other treatments.