Table 1.

Interventions used by selected studies.

Selected studiesInterventions
Assessment methodType of exercise (examples)Commencement dayFrequencyDurationFollow-up assessment
Ahmed et al. (2006)Arm circumferenceWeight training
Stretching
4 months to 3 years post-operativelyTwice a week, repeat each set of exercises 8-10 times6 months6 months
2 weeks
Bendz & Olsen (2002)Arm volume
Range of motion
Range of motionPost-operative day 13 times per day, repeat each set of exercise 5 timesNot mentioned1 month
6 months
2 years
Beurskens et al. (2007)Arm volume
Range of motion
Range of motion
Stretching
Coordination
Muscle strengthening exercise
Post-operative day 141-2 times per week, exercise for 10 minutes each time3 months3months
6 months
Cinar et al. (2008)Arm circumference Range of motionRange of motion
Isometric
Stretching
Post-operative day 1Not mentionedAt least 8 weeksday 5
1 month
3 months
6 months
Kilgour et al. (2008)Arm circumference
Range of motion
Range of motion
Stretching
Post-operative day 3Twice per day, exercise 5-7 minutes for each setNot mentionedday 14
Box et al. (2002)Arm circumference
Arm volume
Range of motion
Not mentionedPost-operative day 2Not mentionedNot mentionedday 5
1 month
3 months
6 months
1 year
2 years