Validation of the FACT-B+4-UL questionnaire and exploration of its predictive value in women submitted to surgery for breast cancer. / Validación del cuestionario FACT-B+4-MS y exploración de su capacidad predictora en mujeres intervenidas de cáncer de mama.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJETIVE: The early detection of upper limb complications is important in women operated on for breast cancer. The "FACT-B+4-UL" questionnaire, a specific variant of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) is available among others to measure the upper limb function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Spanish version of the upper limb subscale of the FACT-B+4 was validated in a prospective cohort of 201 women operated on for breast cancer (factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity and sensitivity to change were determined). Its predictive capacity of subsequent lymphoedema and other complications in the upper limb was explored using logistic regression. RESULTS: This subscale is unifactorial and has a great internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.87), its test-retest reliability and construct validity are strong (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.986; Pearson's R with "Quick DASH": 0.81) as is its sensitivity to change. It didn't predict the onset of lymphedema. Its predictive capacity for other upper limb complications is low. CONCLUSIONS: FACT-B+4-UL is useful in measuring upper limb disability in women surgically treated for breast cancer; but it does not predict the onset of lymphoedema and its predictive capacity for others complications in the upper limb is low.

Microwave diathermy for treating nonspecific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Although the use of deep heat therapy is widespread, there is scant literature available on its effectiveness in treating back or neck pain. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of microwave diathermy to treat nonspecific chronic neck pain. DESIGN: The study was designed as a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: The patient sample consisted of 149 patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain in a hospital of the Andalusian Public Health Care System, Spain OUTCOME MEASURES: The study outcome measures are as follows: at baseline, pain intensity (using a visual analogue scale), disability (Neck Disability Index), and health-related quality of life (36-item short form health survey [SF-36]); at 3 weeks, baseline measures and patients' perceived overall outcome and satisfaction with the treatment; and at 6 months, 3-week measures, therapeutic co-interventions, and adherence to exercises. METHODS: Patients were allocated randomly to three groups. The first group received continuous microwave diathermy, the second group was administered pulsed microwaves, and the third group (the control group) received unplugged microwaves. All three groups received the same general treatment: range of motion, isometric exercises, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. RESULTS: The three groups had reduced pain and disability, and improvement was seen in some dimensions of the SF-36. However, there were no differences found in any of the parameters measured among the three therapeutic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave diathermy does not provide additional benefit to a treatment regimen of chronic neck pain that already involves other treatment approaches.