An objective test to assess upper limb functionality in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: investigation of the psychometric properties of the upper limb functional test (ULIFT).

Background: Although upper limb (UL) functionality was reported to be adversely affected in patients with breast cancer- related lymphedema (BCRL), there is currently no validated, objective performance-based assessment tool designed to evaluate UL function in this population. The Upper Limb Functional Test (ULIFT) was adapted from the ADL test (TGlittre), which is widely used in clinical settings and research, and was developed to assess unilateral UL functionality. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the ULIFT in patients with BCRL.

Self-administered versus lymphedema therapist-administered complex decongestive therapy protocol in breast cancer-related lymphedema: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial with three-month follow-up.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a self-administered complex decongestive therapy (CDT) protocol is not inferior to certified lymphedema therapist (CLT)-administered CDT in the management of lymphedema and health-related outcomes in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Methods: Fifty patients with BCRL were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: (1) a CLT-administered CDT group (n = 25) or a self-administered CDT group (n = 25). CDT was a multimodal approach in two experimental conditions consisting of patient education, manual lymph drainage, multi-layer bandaging, therapeutic exercises and skin/nail care.

Measurement Properties and Determinants of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with Lower Limb Lymphedema.

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability and identify determinants of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with lower limb lymphedema (LLL). The study included 28 patients with LLL and 28 healthy subjects. To investigate the convergent validity and determinants of the 6MWT, patients were assessed using the following measurements: circumference measurement for lymphedema severity, hand-held dynamometry for muscle strength, time up and go for functional mobility, five-time sit-to-stand test for functional lower extremity strength, Lower Extremity Functional Scale for lower extremity functionality, Lymphedema Life Impact Scale for quality of life, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form for physical activity level.

The comparison of functional status and health-related parameters in ovarian cancer survivors with healthy controls.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate functional status and health-related parameters in ovarian cancer (OC) survivors and to compare these parameters with healthy controls. The secondary purpose of this study was to compare these parameters in early and advanced OC survivors.

Methods: Thirty-two OC survivors (n = 15 early stage; n = 17 advanced stage) with no evidence/suspicion of cancer recurrence after completing adjuvant local and systemic treatments for at least 12 months and 32 healthy controls were recruited for functional- and health-related assessments.