The Validation Study of Both the Modified Barthel and Barthel Index, and Their Comparison Based on Rasch Analysis in the Hospitalized Acute Stroke Elderly.

A validation study the Iranian Modified Barthel Index (MBI) in hospitalized acute stroke elderly by classical test theory approach and investigate Rasch analysis for both Iranian version MBI and BI and compare the hierarchical item difficulty of them. Face-to-face interview with 100 geriatric stroke inpatients 60+ or their caregivers was done in a cross-sectional study. First, construct validity of MBI analyzed by the classical test theory, then Rasch analysis were done for BI and MBI. The reliability of the Iranian MBI was significant at 0.955. One factor achieved by the variance of 83.2%. In Rasch analysis for MBI, the most difficult item was stair climbing, whereas the simplest items were bowel and bladder control. In BI, the most difficult items were toilet use and ambulation. The Iranian MBI is very accurate and reliable; therefore the use of MBI to measure better outcomes in stroke elderly inpatients is recommended comparing with BI.

Iranian Version of Barthel Index: Validity and Reliability in Outpatients' Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Validation study of Barthel Index for elderly patients being attended in outpatient and rehabilitation clinics in Iran. METHODS: Face-to-face interview with 395 out patients geriatric 60+ years was done in a cross-sectional study. The internal consistency Barthel-ADL was used to approve reliability. Criterion validity and factor analysis were used to verify validity. RESULTS: Reliability the Iranian version BI was significant at 0.938. In criterion validity analysis, the high correlation tools included Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM-subscales ADL) at 0.947 and -0.945, respectively. In factor analyses, two domains obtained, the variance of 10 items achieved 69.79%; also, the Item Total Correlation (ITC) of each item was measured. CONCLUSIONS: The Barthel Index shows a good validity and reliability, and recommended to use in the Iranian geriatric outpatients in evaluating physical ability.

The effect of relaxation techniques on edema, anxiety and depression in post-mastectomy lymphedema patients undergoing comprehensive decongestive therapy: A clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphedema is sometimes accompanied by high degrees of anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the effects of relaxation techniques on the level of edema, anxiety and depression in women undergoing Comprehensive Decongestive Therapy (CDT). DESIGN: This clinical trial compared two treatment methods in 31 women with post-mastectomy lymphedema, including 15 cases who received CDT and 16 who received RCDT (Relaxation plus CDT). The edema volume, anxiety and depression scores were compared at the first and last sessions of the first phase of the treatment and six weeks afterwards. RESULTS: The edema, anxiety and depression scores were 63.6%, 54.1% and 65.5% in the RCDT group and 60.7%, 31.4% and 35.2% in the CDT group. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the reduction in depression (p = 0.024) and anxiety (p = 0.011) scores throughout the study. This significant relationship was due to the differences in the depression score in the 3rd and 9th weeks of the study between the two groups. Similarly, anxiety levels differed significantly between the two groups at the 9th week of the study (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Relaxation techniques reduced the anxiety and depression scores and the volume of edema in the patients with lymphedema. The addition of this intervention to the therapeutic package for lymphedema patients requires further studies in terms of cost-effectiveness.

The Effect of Complete Decongestive Therapy on Edema Volume Reduction and Pain in Women With Post Breast Surgery Lymph Edema.

BACKGROUND: Upper extremity lymph edema is the most common side effect of breast cancer treatment that may produce significant physical and psychological morbidity. Pain is the frequent symptom of lymph edema that causes impairment of activities in daily life. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was assessment of the effect of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on upper extremity lymph edema and pain in women with post breast surgery lymph edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this quasi- experimental research with before- after design, 36 women with moderate lymph edema after breast surgery participated in the program. Edema volume was measured by water displacement method; pain values were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). Data were recorded before intervention and 2 and 4 weeks after it. CDT included the first phase (intensive phase) and the second phase (maintenance phase). Each phase lasted 2 weeks. After use of Shapiro Wilk test for normality, analysis of variances with GEE and repeated measurements were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: After one month doing CDT program, significant decrease of edema was noticed (P < 0.0001), also pain decreased during 2 and 4 weeks after intervention (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that CDT program is effective in reducing lymph edema volume and pain in women with moderate post breast surgery lymph edema. It seems that raising patients' awareness and training healthcare professionals regarding lymph edema preventive strategies have an important role in earlier and better combating this complication.