Lisa K. Sprod, Scott N. Drum, Ann T. Bentz, Susan D. Carter, and Carole M. Schneider

The Effects of Walking Poles on Shoulder Function in Breast Cancer Survivors

Integral Cancer Therapy, Dec 2005; 4: 287 - 293.

The incidence of breast cancer diagnosis is increasing, while the mortality rate is decreasing, leaving more survivors in need of rehabilitation. Breast cancer treatment often results in impaired shoulder function, which may lead to a decrease in quality of life.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of walking pole use on shoulder function in women treated for breast cancer. Participants were randomly placed in experimental (n=6) and control (n=6) groups for the eight week study. The experimental group used walking poles during the aerobic portion of their workouts whereas the control group did not, while both groups participated in resistance training.

The experimental group showed significant improvement (p < .05) in muscular endurance of the upper body, measured by the bench press and lat pulldown exercises. The data suggest that using walking poles for eight weeks significantly improved muscular endurance of the upper body in breast cancer patients following treatment

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