Table 1. Summary of selected studies on exercise therapy for shoulder dysfunction in patients with breast cancer

No.	Author	Country	Sample size (study type)	Intervention type	Duration (study type)	Key outcomes
1	Lauridsen et al.5	Denmark	62/77 (RCT)	Early exercise & physical therapy	6 months	Early exercise & physical therapy improved shoulder motion and function significantly.
2	McNeely et al.1	Canada	Meta-analysis (SR)	Exercise interventions (various types)	Systematic review	Consistent positive effects on shoulder function, pain reduction, and quality of life.
3	De Groef et al.3	Belgium	Systematic review (SR)	Resistance + mobility training vs. control	Systematic review	Improved ROM and strength; no increase in lymphedema risk.
4	McNeely et al.22	Canada	Cochrane review (SR)	Exercise interventions for upper-limb dysfunction	Systematic review	Strong evidence for exercise effectiveness in reducing pain and improving upper limb function
5	Courneya et al.23	Canada	121/121 (RCT)	Aerobic + resistance training vs. usual care	6 months	Enhanced physical function and upper body strength.
6	Battaglini et al.4	USA	Systematic review (SR)	Individualized exercise rehabilitation	Systematic review	Improved ROM, reduced pain, and cancer-related fatigue.
7	Sagen et al.24	Norway	104/100 (RCT)	Stretching + ROM vs. usual care	6 months	Improved physical activity and decreased shoulder pain in the exercise group.
8	Schmitz et al.8	USA	71/70 (RCT)	Progressive weight training vs. no exercise	12 months	No lymphedema increase; improved strength and arm function.

* IG/CG = intervention group/control group (for RCTs).
* RCT = randomized controlled trials; ROM = range-of-motion; SR = systematic review; meta-analysis = included quantitative synthesis.