Objective To apply the best evidence of early functional exercise of affected limbs undergoing breast cancer surgery to clinical practice and evaluate its effects.

Methods The early functional exercise program for breast cancer patients' affected limbs based on the best evidence was developed. The exercise videos and exercise diaries were made, and nurse training and patient education were implemented. The quality audit indicators and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale - Breast (FACT-B) were used to evaluate the effects.

Results After the application of evidence, the execution rate of preoperative evaluation and postoperative effect evaluation by nurses, the proportion of patients who started shoulder joint activity on the 8th day after surgery, the rate of shoulder joint activity crossing the head before drainage tube removal, and the compliance rate of functional exercise significantly increased (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in overall quality of life and days of drainage tube retention between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the range of motion in the anterior flexion position was 137.46° (± 2.67°), in the posterior extension position was 54.13° (± 0.77°), and in the lateral extension position was 136.87° (± 3.30°) in the review group patients one month after surgery. And the incidence of mild lymphedema was 4 cases (8.3%).

Conclusion The application of the best evidence can help establish and perfect the early functional exercise program of the affected limb of breast cancer patients undergoing surgery, improve the exercise compliance of patients, improve the patient's shoulder joint range of motion, do not extend the days of indwelling drainage tube after surgery, but have little effect on improving the quality of life after surgery.