Objective To explore the effects of painting interventions applied in functional training on negative emotions, recovery of limb function and lymphedema in breast cancer surgery patients. Methods Ninety patients having breast cancer surgery were randomly assigned to two groups, with 45 in each. The control group was given routine care after breast cancer surgery, while the intervention group received additional painting interventions during functional training. Results After 14 days of intervention, the intervention group had greater shoulder range of motion during flexion, extension, abduction and adduction, whereas lower scores of irritability, depression and anxiety compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in lymphedema severity between the two groups（P＞0.05）. Conclusion Implementation of painting interventions in functional training for breast cancer surgery patients can effectively alleviate negative emotions and improve shoulder range of motion, but the effect on lymphedema requires long-time observations.