Myofascial Release Improved Breast Cancer Recovery
Patients receiving myofascial therapy during radiotherapy saw better shoulder mobility and strength.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Cancer
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A randomized controlled trial involving 31 breast cancer patients found that therapist-delivered myofascial release improved physical recovery. These findings offer potential support for managing shoulder function during radiotherapy.
Why it matters
Breast cancer surgery and subsequent radiation often cause physical limitations, so finding effective rehabilitation techniques can significantly improve post-operative recovery. This study highlights how specialized manual therapy might complement home-based exercise routines.
This randomized controlled trial followed 31 breast cancer patients for six weeks to compare myofascial release against a control group. Participants receiving therapy showed greater improvements in shoulder mobility and muscle strength than those performing only home-based exercises.
The details
Myofascial release was delivered twice weekly by a therapist to address tightness in the connective tissue. Researchers measured shoulder mobility using a digital goniometer, while muscle strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer. The study also monitored changes in the pectoralis major and sternocleidomastoid muscles using the MyotonPRO device to evaluate viscoelastic properties.
Timeline
February 1, 2025: Clinical trial NCT06764394 was registered.
October 10, 2026: Study results were published online.
Health Landscape
This research adds to the evolving landscape of oncological rehabilitation hosted on ClinicalTrials.gov. It sits alongside various therapeutic interventions currently being tested to improve physical outcomes for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
If you are undergoing radiotherapy, this study suggests that addressing physical therapy early may benefit shoulder range of motion. It is worth discussing with your doctor or physical therapist whether manual myofascial release could be a useful addition to your existing exercise routine.
The takeaway
Specialized manual therapy may help restore physical function lost during cancer treatment. Talk to your care team about integrating professional physical therapy alongside your prescribed home-based exercises to improve shoulder mobility.
Further reading
For more information on survivorship and rehabilitation, visit our Cancer section.
More information
To read the full results, you can access peer-reviewed research article published in Nature.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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