LITERATURE REVIEW: PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PALLIATIVE CARE IN BREAST CANCER

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0159422404011

• Palavras-chave: palliative care, oncological physiotherapy and breast cancer.

• Keywords: palliative care, oncological physiotherapy and breast cancer.

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Palliative Care has become essential after the increasing incidence of loss of functionality in individuals with non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer. Given this panorama, we see the important role of the physiotherapist in minimizing the adverse effects of treatment. Goal: The study aims to present scientific evidence about the importance of physiotherapy in palliative care. Method: This is a narrative literature review study, where the following databases were used: Medline, PEDro, SciELO and Lilacs between the years 2004 and 2021. In total, 18 articles were found, obtaining 5 articles as a final selection. Results: After careful analysis of the articles, it is clear that physiotherapy works at all levels of treatment as well as improving quality of life, pain relief, functionality and reduction of symptoms related to the disease. The most used techniques in palliative care are manual therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), kinesiotherapy, lymphatic drainage, muscle strengthening, cryotherapy and respiratory maneuvers. Conclusion: Physiotherapy has diversified over the years with its techniques and has proven to be fundamental in monitoring cancer patients. However, further studies are still needed to prove its importance to enhance the performance of this professional.