Effect of Vinica Alkaloids Iontophoresis on Post-Mastectomy Shoulder Pain

Mansour, Nermin Maher; Aboelnour, Nancy Hassan; Faltaous, Fady Samy; Elkabalawy, Mohamed Maher

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2021.148559

Effect of Vinica Alkaloids Iontophoresis on Post-Mastectomy Shoulder Pain

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Physical Therapy Department for Surgery, Faculty of Physical therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

² Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhm.2021.148559

Abstract

Background: Iontophoresis is a non-invasive technique used to increase the penetration of substances through the skin through the dermal layer (epidermis, dermis and parenchyma) in a controlled manner. Technological advances in recent decades have lowered the cost of equipment for implementation, which allowed for the expansion of this technique.
Objective: To evaluate effect of vinica alkaloids iontophoresis on post-mastectomy shoulder pain.
Patients and Methods: A randomized controlled study that was carried out on thirty females with age ranging from 35 to 50 years and suffering from post-mastectomy shoulder pain. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups, each one included 15 patients. Patients in group A (Study group < /span>) received 45-60 minutes of vincristine iontophoresis (20 ml vincristine) 3 times/week in addition to conventional medical care, for eight weeks. While, patients in group B (Control group) received placebo 45-60 minutes of only 20 ml saline iontophoresis (3 times/week), in addition to conventional medical care, for eight weeks.
Results: Significant improvements in VAS and shoulder range of motion (ROM) were reported in the study group compared to the control group (p > 0.001). In the study group, the percents of improvement of shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation were 22.9%, 24.62%, 35.85%, and 39.97% respectively. While, in the control group, they were 0.5%, 0.67%, 2.8%, and 3.35% respectively. VAS scores achieved higher percentage of improvement (54.05%) compared to control group (10.15%).
Conclusion: Vinica alkaloids iontophoresis achieved significant improvements in shoulder pain and ROM following mastectomy.

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