1,721,121 research outputs found
Revision of the lymphedama functioning, disability and health questionnaire for upper limb lymphedema (lymph-ICF-UL) : Reliability and Validity
No full textBackground: Lymphedema is associated with significant physical and psychosocial problems. The Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health questionnaire for upper limb lymphedema is a valid and reliable tool quantifying the amount of problems in functioning in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. Patients suggested a revision of the scoring system to facilitate completion of the questionnaire. Therefore, adjustment of the questionnaire was carried out by implementing a numeric rating scale instead of the existing visual analog scale. Purpose of this study was to investigate reliability and validity of the revised Lymph-ICF, called the Lymph-ICF-UL. Methods and Results: Reliability and validity of the Lymph-ICF-UL were examined in 56 participants with upper limb lymphedema. Intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.79 to 0.95. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for internal consistency were higher than 0.80. Face and content validity were very good because the scoring system was clear for all participants (100%), questions were understandable for all participants (100%), and all complaints due to arm lymphedema were mentioned by 98% of the participants. Construct validity was good. Convergent validity was established since four out of five expected domains of the Lymph-ICF-UL showed a moderate correlation with expected domains of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire. There was good divergent validity because seven out of nine hypotheses assessing divergent validity were accepted. Conclusion: The Lymph-ICF-UL is a reliable and valid questionnaire using a simplified and clearer scoring procedure to assess impairments in function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions of patients with breast cancer-related arm lymphedema.status: Publishe
The association between upper limb function and variables at the different domains of the international classification of functioning, disability and health in women after breast cancer surgery: a systematic review
No full textPURPOSE: To investigate the variables per International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-domain that are associated with upper limb (UL) function in women after breast cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed and Web of Science were searched until 7 January 2020. Eligibility criteria were: prospective investigation of an association between one or more variables of the ICF model and UL function in women after breast cancer surgery. PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct and report the systematic review. The Quality In Prognosis Studies tool (QUIPS) was used to evaluate risk of bias. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included (2244 participants). Risk of bias of the included studies was low to moderate. Variables at the ICF-function level that were systematically associated with decreased UL function across multiple included papers were: increased UL pain, decreased shoulder range of motion, decreased handgrip strength and a higher number of comorbidities. Results on the association between UL function and variables at other ICF-domains were conflicting. CONCLUSION: UL function was associated with certain variables at the ICF-function level. Variability in disease stages, treatment and measurement methods might explain inconsistent associations with other variables. Only limited studies investigated associations between UL function and psychosocial factors.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis paper gives an overview of associations between different variables of the ICF model and UL dysfunctions in women after breast cancer surgery.Identified associated factors are situated at the ICF function level, i.e., UL pain, decreased handgrip strength and shoulder (abduction) ROM.These factors are modifiable and should be monitored, prevented and treated in physical therapy practice.UL dysfunction is not consistently associated with treatment-related variables.The role of psychosocial personal factors in UL dysfunctions should be considered and further explored.sponsorship: Support statement: ADG is a post-doctoral research fellow of the FWO-Flanders. (FWO-Flanders)status: Publishe
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Factors Associated With the Ultrasound Characteristics of the Lumbar Multifidus: A Systematic Review
No full textOBJECTIVE: The first aim of this review was to investigate the association between age, sex, height, weight, physical activity level, posture, lumbar level and body side, and structural characteristics (cross-sectional area [CSA], thickness, linear dimensions, and echo intensity) of the lumbar multifidus (LM) measured by ultrasound. Second, differences between healthy individuals and patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were investigated. TYPE: Systematic review. LITERATURE SURVEY: PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched until September 2018. METHODOLOGY: Studies were included if (a) full text was available in English, Dutch, or French; (b) participants were older than 18 years of age and were asymptomatic or had nonspecific CLBP; and (c) the relation between structural characteristics of the LM, measured by ultrasound, and at least one of the above-mentioned factors was described, and/or a comparison between a CLBP and control group was made. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Quality of studies was assessed using an adapted version of the Downs and Black checklist. SYNTHESIS: Twenty-seven studies were included. Thickness and CSA of the LM do not correlate with age. Males have a larger LM size than females. Thickness and CSA of left and right LM are highly correlated in healthy subjects. More significant side-to-side differences are present in subjects with CLBP than in those without. Muscle size increases from proximal to caudal lumbar levels. The presence of CLBP is associated with muscle size and function. CONCLUSIONS: The association between the factors age, sex, height, weight, physical activity level, posture, lumbar level, body side, and presence of CLBP, and the ultrasound characteristics of the LM is discussed. These factors should be taken into account in future research on structural muscle characteristics, or when correlating with functional behavior or investigating the effect of a targeted intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.status: Publishe
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Physical activity levels after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: one-year follow-up
No full textBACKGROUND: Overall survival rates after rectal cancer have increased. Therefore, functional outcomes rightly deserve more interest. The aims of this study were to assess progression in total, sports, occupational and household physical activity levels of rectal cancer survivors, from preoperatively to 12 months after surgery/stoma closure and to explore predictive factors. METHODS: Multi-center prospective study with 125 patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire was completed concerning all physical activity levels at baseline (past preoperative year) and at 1, 4, 6 and 12 months after surgery/stoma closure. At these timepoints, questionnaires (LARS-/ COREFO-questionnaire) regarding bowel symptoms were also filled out. Results were analyzed using linear mixed models for repeated measures. RESULTS: Total physical activity levels up to 12 months remained significantly lower than preoperative. Occupational and sports physical activity levels remained significantly lower until 6 and 4 months postoperative, respectively. Predictive factors for decreased physical activity levels at a specific timepoint were: younger age and no stoma (total physical activity, 1 month), low/mid rectal tumor, no stoma, non-employed status (total, 4 months), higher COREFO-scores (occupational, 4 months) and non-employed status (total, 12 months). At all timepoints, lower COREFO-scores were associated with higher total physical activity levels; male gender and lower educational levels with higher occupational levels; younger age, normal BMI, employed status and adjuvant therapy with higher sports levels; and female gender, lower educational level and unemployed status with higher household levels. CONCLUSIONS: One year after rectal cancer treatment, total physical activity levels were still not recovered. Rectal cancer patients, especially those at risk for decreased physical activity levels and with major bowel complaints, should be identified and guided to increase their activities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered at Netherlands Trial Register ( NTR6383 , 23/01/2017).sponsorship: This clinical trial is supported by a grant of the Research Foundation -Flanders (FWO-TBM) (T000216N). Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek -Vlaanderen, Egmontstraat 5, 1000 Brussel. The funder of the study had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the report. (Research Foundation -Flanders (FWO-TBM)|T000216N, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek -Vlaanderen, Brussel)status: Publishe
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Variables associated with upper extremity dysfunction in women with persistent upper extremity pain and myofascial dysfunctions at long term after breast cancer surgery: a cross-sectional study
No full textObjectives: The objective of this cross-sectional research is to determine the possible variables which are associated with upper extremity dysfunction after breast cancer surgery.
Participants: Forty-three women who underwent breast cancer surgery, with a mean length of time since surgery of 3.34 years, were tested at the University Hospitals Leuven. Patients were included if they had persistent upper extremity pain, with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of more than 40 out of 100 during the last week and if they also had myofascial dysfunctions in the upper body region.
Measurements: All participants completed the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) and the pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire (PVAQ). Percentage lymphedema (perimetry), weekly maximum VAS and range of humerothoracic abduction and scapulothoracic upward rotation were also
measured. To answer the research question, bi-variable analyses and a stepwise regression analysis were used.
Results: Through stepwise regression analysis only weekly maximum VAS (p=0.0273) and PCS (p= 0.0272) were found to have a significant influence on dysfunction measured by the DASH (R²= 32.45%). Patients with a higher score on the VAS and/or PCS experienced a higher level of upper extremity dysfunction.
Conclusion: Only pain intensity and pain catastrophizing seem to have a significant influence on dysfunction, whereas kinematics do not seem to associate with dysfunction
Problemen ter hoogte van het bovenste lidmaat na de behandeling van borstkanker - Evaluatie en behandeling van myofasciale dysfuncties
No full textBreast cancer patients may receive different radical treatments, such as breast surgery, axillary lymph node dissections and radiotherapy of the breast or thorax. These treatments have a profound effect on the deep myofascial level of the shoulder, thorax and axilla and they create a vicious circle of adhesions, lack of mobility and pain in muscles, fasciaeand joints around the shoulder. The effectiveness of myofascial techniques on the prevention and treatment of these dysfunctions of the upper limb related to the treatment of breast cancer have never been investigated. Therefore, one randomised controlled trial will investigate the preventive effect of myofascial techniques, additional to the traditional physical therapy, on dysfunctions of the upper limb, applied onbreast cancer patients with an axillary lymph node dissection. Another randomised controlled trial will investigate the treatment effect of myofascial techniques applied on breast cancer patients with chronic pain of the upper limb. The third aim is to investigate the patient-related, breast cancer- related and treatment- related factors for the change of shoulder dysfunctions after breast cancer treatment.status: Publishe
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