Post-mastectomy pain syndrome and sleep disorders: effects of physical activity

Introduction Aim of the study was the evaluation of physical activity effects on chronic post-surgery pain perception, sleep quality and related biomarkers (melatonin, AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone, and cortisol) in women undergoing postmastectomy. Methods A prospective observational unicentric cohort study was designed by recruiting women undergoing unilateral or bilateral mastectomy. One hundred and eighty (180) women were enrolled in the study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of the sample of patients recruited for the study was 50.34 ± 11.9 years (range 28–72 years, median age 53.5 years). The mean BMI was 21.59 ± 1.49. All the participants were Caucasian. Pain assessment, quality of sleep and motor activity of each participant in the study was measured 3 and 6 months after the intervention as well as biomarkers. Results show that level of physical activity measured through International Physical Activity Questionnaire reduces intensity of pain and its interference with quality of life, moreover, in women with higher physical activity, results show a reduction of sleep disturbance, cortisol and ACTH levels and an increase of melatonin, compared with women with minor motor activity and lower physical activity level. Conclusions Physical activity seems to reduce pain intensity, reduce sleep disorders together with a reduction of cortisol and ACTH and an increase of melatonin. (Clinical Trial.gov identifier: NCT06803563)