“They have given me much more than what our research group or I, in particular, have been able to contribute. They have taught me the value of life, of the balance of priorities between what is imposed on us at the work level and what we choose at the personal level. They are the living image of overcoming, of the will to live. Spending two hours with them three times a week was a huge challenge, both physically and psychologically, but one that they returned to me by way of laughter, gratitude and happiness. And of course they are the great protagonists of this recognition Well, without them, none of this could have gone ahead. They are women with breast cancer. He, who makes this reflection, is the researcher at the University of Granada Mario Lozano.
The Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain has distinguished with his Research Award 2020 in the category ‘Life and Health Sciences’ to Mario Lozano for the thesis’ Comprehensive support strategy for breast cancer survivors: occupational therapy and mHealth. Beneca Study ‘. His research addresses new mechanisms for the care and improvement of the sequelae of women who have suffered breast cancer, and has led to the development of a mobile health application called Beneca (www.beneca.es), and the inclusion of occupational therapy as part of oncological rehabilitation.
A total of eighty women participated in the thesis. The Beneca application improved the levels of physical activity as well as the quality of life of these women, derived from increased exercise in free time. The comprehensive strategy, with the application and face-to-face occupational therapy, showed that these women reduced the level of fatigue and pain, improved the range of motion of the affected upper limb (due to breast surgery) and cardiorespiratory capacity, as well as cognitive aspects that are altered (processing speed, attention or memory). The participants in the program also reduced anxiety levels, especially due to fear of the disease. Most importantly, “these improvements were sustained in the long term, as they were still present six months after the end of the program.”
The researcher, who defended his doctoral thesis on November 6, 2019, has combined ‘distance health’ or ‘telehealth’ with face-to-face sessions at the facilities of the University of Granada at the PTS. Very complete programs that have helped the participating women to improve their quality of life.
“To date, there are few studies in the world that have carried out controlled and randomized clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of this discipline in oncology,” says Mario Lozano, “which opens up a very broad clinical-research field.”
Lozano continues to work in the oncology field. «I am trying to transfer all the knowledge that we have acquired over the years of experience accumulated in the group, to an even more sensitive population, in an advanced stage of the disease, such as metastatic bone cancer derived from breast cancer, developing a multidisciplinary program for these women ».
Occupational therapy
Lozano has developed the thesis, directed by the doctors Manuel Arroyo and Lydia Martín, in the Department of Physiotherapy of the UGR. “In the world of research, a lot is demanded of us, at a frenetic pace, and many times it is very little recognized. This award has meant recognition of four years of intense work that would not have been possible without being in the research group in which I find myself or directed by the two great professionals who directed the thesis. Also, it means national recognition for a profession, occupational therapy, which is still very little valued in this country ”, he highlights.
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