Effectiveness of PNF Training for Improving for Muscle Strength, Function, and Pain After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women of all ages worldwide. Advanced and comprehensive treatment options have increased survival rate and life expectancy, necessitating a focus on the complications of breast cancer treatment. Although axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) causes high morbidity, it is an integral part of surgical treatment in patients with invasive breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis. Axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy are associated with pain, physical symptoms, and decreased functional abilities in the upper extremity. This study aimed to compare the potential effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique on muscle strength, pain and functionality in this patient group with progressive resistance exercise (PRT).