Kwan et al evaluated chronic arm morbidity in women following therapy for breast cancer. This can be used to monitor a woman over time and to identify the need for functional interventions. The authors are from British Columbia Cancer Agency.
Measures:
(1) arm swelling
(2) arm pain
(3) shoulder pain
(4) arm stiffness
(5) shoulder stiffness
(6) arm function
(7) numbness
(8) arm movement
(9) ability to brush hair
(10) ability to pull on a sweater
(11) ability to fasten a bra
(12) ability to close a back zipper
(13) ability to reach overhead
Severity of Problem
Points
none, normal
1
minimal
2
mild
3
moderate
4
marked
5
where:
• The responses should be relative to pretherapy status (taking into account arthritis or other conditions).
total score =
= SUM(points for all 13 items)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 13 (normal)
• maximum score: 65
• The higher the score the greater the upper arm impairment.
• The level of impairment is greater in women with lymphedema.
percent of normal function =
= 100% * (1 - (((total score) - 13) / 52))
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