The effect of limb position on the reliability of leg circumference measurements in patients diagnosed with lower limb l
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The effect of limb position on the reliability of leg circumference measurements in patients diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema R. Scheer 1,2
&
E. Crofton 1,3 & N. Andrews 1,4
Received: 2 July 2020 / Accepted: 15 October 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Objective To establish the intrarater reliability of lower limb circumference measures in a sample of individuals who are diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema and to evaluate if change in limb position has an effect on the reliability of circumferential measures. Method A sample of forty-one adults diagnosed with a lower limb lymphoedema were recruited. Participants had their affected leg measured three times by a qualified therapist during a standard outpatient appointment: twice in a lying position and once in sitting with knee flexed at 90°. To examine the intrarater reliability, interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confident intervals were calculated. Results Excellent intrarater reliability was established at each measurement point and for the sum of circumferential measures when the limb remeasured in the same position by the same therapist. Changing the position of the limb resulted in lower intrarater reliability values at 10 and 30 cm from the base of the foot. Conclusions The current study provides evidence for the intrarater reliability of lower limb circumference measures and highlights the need for consistency when remeasuring and monitoring the limb of those diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema. Implications for cancer survivors Lymphoedema is a significant problem for breast cancer survivors but also provides lifetime risk to all survivors of lymph node surgery for solid tumours. The monitoring and surveillance of leg circumference measures of people diagnosed with lower limb lymphoedema has been a valuable instrument when reviewing progress of this chronic condition. Keywords Lymphoedema . Lower limb . Compression . Measurement . Reliability Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05835-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * R. Scheer [email protected] E. Crofton [email protected] N. Andrews [email protected] 1
Occupational Therapy Department, The Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia
2
Department of Occupational Therapy, The Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Butterfield Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia
3
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
4
Recover Injury Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Introduction Lymphoedema is a chronic and progressive condition which develops as a response to an interrupted or damaged lymphatic system [1]. The lymphatic system is responsible for the drainage of all fluids in our body at the capillary end;
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