Self-Managed Surveillance for Breast Cancer–Related Upper Body Issues: A Feasibility and Reliability Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bolette S Rafn ◽  
Chiara A Singh ◽  
Julie Midtgaard ◽  
Pat G Camp ◽  
Margaret L McNeely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Prospective Surveillance ◽  
Reliability Study ◽  
Shoulder Flexion ◽  
Arm Circumference

Abstract Background Early identification of breast cancer–related upper body issues is important to enable timely physical therapist treatment. Objective This study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of women performing self-managed prospective surveillance for upper body issues in the early postoperative phase as part of a hospital-based physical therapy program. Design This was a prospective, single-site, single-group feasibility and reliability study. Methods Presurgery arm circumference measurements were completed at home and at the hospital by participants and by a physical therapist. Instruction in self-measurement was provided using a video guide. After surgery, all circumference measurements were repeated along with self-assessment and therapist assessment for shoulder flexion and abduction active range of motion. Feasibility was determined by recruitment/retention rates and participant-reported ease of performing self-measurements (1 [very difficult] to 10 [very easy]). Reliability was determined as intrarater reliability, interrater reliability, and agreement. Results Thirty-three women who were 53.4 (SD = 11.4) years old participated, with recruitment and retention rates of 79% and 94%, respectively. Participant-reported ease of measurement was 8.2 (SD = 2.2) before surgery and 8.0 (SD = 1.9) after surgery. The intrarater reliability and interrater reliability were excellent before surgery (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.94; 95% confidence interval = 0.87–0.97) and after surgery (ICC ≥ 0.91; 95% confidence interval = 0.76–0.96). Agreement between self-assessed and therapist-assessed active shoulder flexion (κ = 0.79) and abduction (κ = 0.71) was good. Limitations Further testing is needed using a prospective design with a longer follow-up to determine whether self-managed prospective surveillance and timely treatment can hinder the development of chronic breast cancer–related upper body issues Conclusions Self-measured arm circumference and shoulder range of motion are reliable, and their inclusion in a hospital-based program of prospective surveillance for upper body issues seems feasible. This approach may improve early detection and treatment

Effect of Upper Extremity Exercise on Secondary Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. McKenzie ◽  
Andrea L. Kalda
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Water Displacement ◽  
Upper Body Exercise ◽  
Arm Circumference

Purpose: To examine the effect of a progressive upper-body exercise program on lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Methods: Fourteen breast cancer survivors with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema were randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 7) or control group (n = 7). The exercise group followed a progressive, 8-week upper-body exercise program consisting of resistance training plus aerobic exercise using a Monark Rehab Trainer arm ergometer. Lymphedema was assessed by arm circumference and measurement of arm volume by water displacement. Patients were evaluated on five occasions over the experimental period. The Medical Outcomes Trust Short-Form 36 Survey was used to measure quality of life before and after the intervention. Significance was set at alpha ≤ 0.01. Results: No changes were found in arm circumference or arm volume as a result of the exercise program. Three of the quality-of-life domains showed trends toward increases in the exercise group: physical functioning (P = .050), general health (P = .048), and vitality (P = .023). Mental health increased, although not significantly, for all subjects (P = .019). Arm volume measured by water displacement was correlated with calculated arm volume (r = .973, P < .001), although the exercise and control group means were significantly different (P < .001). Conclusions: Participation in an upper-body exercise program caused no changes in arm circumference or arm volume in women with lymphedema after breast cancer, and they may have experienced an increase in quality of life. Additional studies should be done in this area to determine the optimum training program.

Interrater reliability of a method to assess hypothalamic involvement in pediatric adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ros Whelan ◽  
Eric Prince ◽  
David M. Mirsky ◽  
Robert Naftel ◽  
Aashim Bhatia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Statistical Evaluation ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Reliability Study ◽  
Postoperative Mri ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngioma

OBJECTIVEPediatric adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACPs) are histologically benign brain tumors that confer significant neuroendocrine morbidity. Previous studies have demonstrated that injury to the hypothalamus is associated with worsened quality of life and a shorter lifespan. This insight helps many surgeons define the goals of surgery for patients with ACP. Puget and colleagues proposed a 3-tiered preoperative and postoperative grading system based on the degree of hypothalamic involvement identified on MRI. In a prospective cohort from their institution, the authors found that use of the system to guide operative goals was associated with decreased morbidity. To date, however, the Puget system has not been externally validated. Here, the authors present an interrater reliability study that assesses the generalizability of this system for surgeons planning initial operative intervention for children with craniopharyngiomas.METHODSA panel of 6 experts, consisting of pediatric neurosurgeons and pediatric neuroradiologists, graded 30 preoperative and postoperative MRI scans according to the Puget system. Interrater reliability was calculated using Fleiss’ κ and Krippendorff’s α statistics.RESULTSInterrater reliability in the preoperative context demonstrated moderate agreement (κ = 0.50, α = 0.51). Interrater reliability in the postoperative context was 0.27 for both methods of statistical evaluation.CONCLUSIONSInterrater reliability for the system as defined is moderate. Slight refinements of the Puget MRI grading system, such as collapsing the 3 grades into 2, may improve its reliability, making the system more generalizable.

scholarly journals Reliability Assessment of Scores From Video-Recorded TGMD-3 Performances

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauli Olavi Rintala ◽  
Arja Kaarina Sääkslahti ◽  
Susanna Iivonen
Keyword(s):  
Motor Development ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Kappa Statistic ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Development ◽  
Percent Agreement ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Ball Skills

This study examined the intrarater and interrater reliability of the Test of Gross Motor Development—3rd Edition (TGMD-3). Participants were 60 Finnish children aged between 3 and 9 years, divided into three separate samples of 20. Two samples of 20 were used to examine the intrarater reliability of two different assessors, and the third sample of 20 was used to establish interrater reliability. Children’s TGMD-3 performances were video-recorded and later assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient, a kappa statistic, and a percent agreement calculation. The intrarater reliability of the locomotor subtest, ball skills subtest, and gross motor total score ranged from 0.69 to 0.77, and percent agreement ranged from 87 to 91%. The interrater reliability of the locomotor subtest, ball skills subtest, and gross motor total score ranged from 0.56 to 0.64. Percent agreement of 83% was observed for locomotor skills, ball skills, and total skills, respectively. Hop, horizontal jump, and two-hand strike assessments showed the most difference between the assessors. These results show acceptable reliability for the TGMD-3 to analyze children’s gross motor skills.

scholarly journals A standardized nomenclature for cervical spine soft-tissue release and osteotomy for deformity correction

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Ames ◽  
Justin S. Smith ◽  
Justin K. Scheer ◽  
Christopher I. Shaffrey ◽  
Virginie Lafage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Soft Tissue Release ◽  
Spine Deformity ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Perfect Agreement ◽  
Moderate Agreement ◽  
Posterior Anterior ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Object Cervical spine osteotomies are powerful techniques to correct rigid cervical spine deformity. Many variations exist, however, and there is no current standardized system with which to describe and classify cervical osteotomies. This complicates the ability to compare outcomes across procedures and studies. The authors' objective was to establish a universal nomenclature for cervical spine osteotomies to provide a common language among spine surgeons. Methods A proposed nomenclature with 7 anatomical grades of increasing extent of bone/soft tissue resection and destabilization was designed. The highest grade of resection is termed the major osteotomy, and an approach modifier is used to denote the surgical approach(es), including anterior (A), posterior (P), anterior-posterior (AP), posterior-anterior (PA), anterior-posterior-anterior (APA), and posterior-anterior-posterior (PAP). For cases in which multiple grades of osteotomies were performed, the highest grade is termed the major osteotomy, and lower-grade osteotomies are termed minor osteotomies. The nomenclature was evaluated by 11 reviewers through 25 different radiographic clinical cases. The review was performed twice, separated by a minimum 1-week interval. Reliability was assessed using Fleiss kappa coefficients. Results The average intrarater reliability was classified as “almost perfect agreement” for the major osteotomy (0.89 [range 0.60–1.00]) and approach modifier (0.99 [0.95–1.00]); it was classified as “moderate agreement” for the minor osteotomy (0.73 [range 0.41–1.00]). The average interrater reliability for the 2 readings was the following: major osteotomy, 0.87 (“almost perfect agreement”); approach modifier, 0.99 (“almost perfect agreement”); and minor osteotomy, 0.55 (“moderate agreement”). Analysis of only major osteotomy plus approach modifier yielded a classification that was “almost perfect” with an average intrarater reliability of 0.90 (0.63–1.00) and an interrater reliability of 0.88 and 0.86 for the two reviews. Conclusions The proposed cervical spine osteotomy nomenclature provides the surgeon with a simple, standard description of the various cervical osteotomies. The reliability analysis demonstrated that this system is consistent and directly applicable. Future work will evaluate the relationship between this system and health-related quality of life metrics.

scholarly journals Assessment of Potential Risk Factors and Skin Ultrasound Presentation Associated with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1303
Author(s):  
Khairunnisa’ Md Yusof ◽  
Kelly A. Avery-Kiejda ◽  
Shafinah Ahmad Suhaimi ◽  
Najwa Ahmad Zamri ◽  
Muhammad Ehsan Fitri Rusli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Arm Circumference ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Breast cancer has been reported to have the highest survival rate among various cancers. However, breast cancer survivors face several challenges following breast cancer treatment including breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), sexual dysfunction, and psychological distress. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors of BCRL in long term breast cancer survivors. A total of 160 female breast cancer subjects were recruited on a voluntary basis and arm lymphedema was assessed through self-reporting of diagnosis, arm circumference measurement, and ultrasound examination. A total of 33/160 or 20.5% of the women developed BCRL with significantly higher scores for upper extremity disability (37.14 ± 18.90 vs. 20.08 ± 15.29, p < 0.001) and a lower score for quality of life (103.91 ± 21.80 vs. 115.49 ± 16.80, p = 0.009) as compared to non-lymphedema cases. Univariate analysis revealed that multiple surgeries (OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.21–26.8, p < 0.001), axillary lymph nodes excision (>10) (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 0.94–8.11, p = 0.047), being overweight (≥25 kg/m2) (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.04 – 6.38, p = 0.036), received fewer post-surgery rehabilitation treatment (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.05–5.39, p = 0.036) and hypertension (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.01–5.62, p = 0.043) were associated with an increased risk of BCRL. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that multiple surgeries remained significant and elevated the likelihood of BCRL (OR = 5.83, 95% CI: 1.14–29.78, p = 0.034). Arm swelling was more prominent in the forearm area demonstrated by the highest difference of arm circumference measurement when compared to the upper arm (2.07 ± 2.48 vs. 1.34 ± 1.91 cm, p < 0.001). The total of skinfold thickness of the affected forearm was also significantly higher than the unaffected arms (p < 0.05) as evidenced by the ultrasound examination. The continuous search for risk factors in specific populations may facilitate the development of a standardized method to reduce the occurrence of BCRL and provide better management for breast cancer patients.

Characteristics Explaining Performance in Downhill Mountain Biking

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel B. Chidley ◽  
Alexandra L. MacGregor ◽  
Caoimhe Martin ◽  
Calum A. Arthur ◽  
Jamie H. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
Ventilatory Threshold ◽  
Anaerobic Power ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Mountain Biking ◽  
Reliability Study ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Specific Contribution

Purpose:To identify physiological, psychological, and skill characteristics that explain performance in downhill (DH) mountainbike racing.Methods:Four studies were used to (1) identify factors potentially contributing to DH performance (using an expert focus group), (2) develop and validate a measure of rider skill (using video analysis and expert judge evaluation), (3) evaluate whether physiological, psychological, and skill variables contribute to performance at a DH competition, and (4) test the specific contribution of aerobic capacity to DH performance.Results:Study 1 identified aerobic capacity, handgrip endurance, anaerobic power, rider skill, and self-confidence as potentially important for DH. In study 2 the rider-skill measure displayed good interrater reliability. Study 3 found that rider skill and handgrip endurance were significantly related to DH ride time (β = –0.76 and –0.14, respectively; R2 = .73), with exploratory analyses suggesting that DH ride time may also be influenced by self-confidence and aerobic capacity. Study 4 confirmed aerobic capacity as an important variable influencing DH performance (for a DH ride, mean oxygen uptake was 49 ± 5 mL · kg−1 · min−1, and 90% of the ride was completed above the 1st ventilatory threshold).Conclusions:In order of importance, rider skill, handgrip endurance, self-confidence, and aerobic capacity were identified as variables influencing DH performance. Practically, this study provides a novel assessment of rider skill that could be used by coaches to monitor training and identify talent. Novel intervention targets to enhance DH performance were also identified, including self-confidence and aerobic capacity.

scholarly journals Monitoring Energy Balance in Breast Cancer Survivors Using a Mobile App: Reliability Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Lozano-Lozano ◽  
Noelia Galiano-Castillo ◽  
Lydia Martín-Martín ◽  
Nicolás Pace-Bedetti ◽  
Carolina Fernández-Lao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Reliability Study
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