The Effects of Upper Extremity Lymphedema on Posture, Upper Extremity Functions, and Quality of Life

Yeditepe University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Breast Cancer-Related Arm Lymphedema; Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05776433

YU-FTR-ST-01

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to examine the effects of lymphedema extremity on upper extremity function, posture and quality of life in patients who develop upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer. Twenty-seven volunteers (27Female) diagnosed with upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer treatment by a specialist physician between May 2022 and October 2022 were included in the study. Upper extremity circumference measurements of the individuals were performed on the healthy and affected sides. A goniometer measured both sides' upper extremity range of motion (ROM). The New York Posture Analysis (NYPA) was used for posture evaluation. Upper extremity functions were assessed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire and the Lymphedema Functionality, Disability and Health Questionnaire (Lymph-ICF). Quality of life was assessed by Upper Extremity Lymphedema-27 (ULL-27) and Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema -Arm (LYMQOL- Arm).

Full description

This study aims to examine the effects of lymphedema extremity on upper extremity function, posture and quality of life in patients who develop upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer. Twenty-seven volunteers (27Female) diagnosed with upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer treatment by a specialist physician between May 2022 and October 2022 were included in the study. Upper extremity circumference measurements of the individuals were performed on the healthy and affected sides. A goniometer measured both sides' upper extremity range of motion (ROM). The New York Posture Analysis (NYPA) was used for posture evaluation. Upper extremity functions were assessed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire and the Lymphedema Functionality, Disability and Health Questionnaire (Lymph-ICF). Quality of life was assessed by Upper Extremity Lymphedema-27 (ULL-27) and Quality of Life Measure for Limb Lymphedema -Arm (LYMQOL- Arm).

The hypotheses of our study:

Hypothesis 0 (H0):

There is no relationship between upper extremity function, posture and quality of life in patients with upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer treatment.

Hypothesis 1 (H1):

There is a relationship between upper extremity function, posture and quality of life in patients with upper extremity lymphedema after unilateral breast cancer treatment.

Enrollment: 27 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Volunteering to participate in the research
• Be between the ages of 18-50
• Having had unilateral breast cancer
• At least one year since breast cancer treatment
• No active metastases

Exclusion criteria

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia syndrome
• Neurological diseases
• Mental illnesses
• Myopathic diseases
• Bilateral upper extremity lymphedema
• Inability to communicate and cooperate
• Presence of any orthopaedic disease in the affected upper extremity
• Having scoliosis
• Having cognitive problems

Trial design

27 participants in 1 patient group

Unilateral upper extremity lymphedema women after breast cancer treatment

Description:

The study group consisted of women aged 18-50 years with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema after breast cancer treatment.