Physiotherapy interventions in the treatment of axillary web syndrome: A scoping review

Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) is a common postoperative complication following axillary lymph node dissection in women with breast cancer, characterized by subcutaneous fibrous cords, pain, and restricted shoulder mobility. Although physiotherapy has been widely explored as a treatment option, there is no consensus on the most effective intervention. This protocol outlines a scoping review that aims to map and synthesize the available evidence on physiotherapeutic treatments for AWS. The review will include original quantitative studies published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, focusing on women with breast cancer and reporting physiotherapy protocols for AWS. Exclusion criteria include animal studies, qualitative designs, reviews, protocols, and studies not specific to breast cancer. A comprehensive search will be conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, BVS, CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO, and others. Search strategies will combine controlled vocabulary and free-text terms using Boolean operators. Study selection and data extraction will be performed independently by two reviewers. Results will be synthesized qualitatively and presented in narrative form, with supporting tables and figures. This review will contribute to identifying evidence-based physiotherapy practices and highlight gaps for future research on the rehabilitation of AWS in women with breast cancer.