Comparison Of Virtual Reality And Conventional Physical Therapy, With And Without Life Style Modification, On Upper Limb Dysfunction In Post-Surgical Breast Cancer Survivors

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

时间窗: 18 Months

Upper limb dysfunction can be assessed using a combination of pain evaluation, range of motion measurements, and muscle strength testing. Pain is typically recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where the patient marks their perceived pain level along a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 representing the worst imaginable pain.

Goniometer (shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation)

时间窗: 18 Months

Scoring details: The score is determined by measuring the distance in centimeters from the 'no pain' end to the patient's mark. Range of motion (ROM) is assessed using a goniometer for key movements such as shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation. The angles achieved are measured in degrees and compared against established normative values typically 0° to 180° for flexion and abduction, and 0° to 90° for external rotation to identify limitations.

Handheld dynamometer

时间窗: 18 Months

Muscle strength is evaluated using a handheld dynamometer, measuring the force produced by muscle groups like shoulder flexors, abductors, and external rotators. Strength is recorded in kilograms or newtons, usually averaging three trials, and compared to normative data or the unaffected limb to determine the degree of weakness. Together, these measures provide a comprehensive functional profile of the upper limb.

Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire

时间窗: 18 Months

Functional outcomes for individuals with upper limb dysfunction can be evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, a widely used, standardized, self-reported measure. The DASH consists of 30 items that assess the patient's ability to perform various physical activities, severity of symptoms, and impact on social and work-related tasks involving the upper extremity. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (no difficulty or no symptoms) to 5 (unable to perform activity or extreme symptoms). The scores from all completed items are summed, averaged, and then transformed into a score out of 100, where 0 indicates no disability and 100 represents the most severe disability. This tool provides valuable insight into the patient's perceived functional status and the extent to which upper limb issues interfere with daily life and occupational tasks.

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)

时间窗: 18 Months

his is a validated, multidimensional, self-administered questionnaire designed to evaluate overall health-related quality of life in patients with chronic illness or undergoing treatment. The QLQ-C30 consists of 30 items covering several domains, including five functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning), three symptom scales (fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and pain), a global health status/quality of life scale, and several single-item assessments for additional symptoms such as insomnia, appetite loss, and financial difficulties. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much), except for the two global health status items, which use a 7-point scale. Scores are transformed to a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores on the functional and global health scales indicating better functioning and quality of life, while higher scores on the symptom scales reflect greater symptom burden.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

时间窗: 18 Months

The HADS consists of 14 items, divided equally into two subscales: seven items assess symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A) and seven assess symptoms of depression (HADS-D). Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 to 3, with total scores for each subscale ranging from 0 to 21. Scores are interpreted as follows: 0-7 indicates a normal range, 8-10 suggests possible anxiety or depression, and 11-21 indicates probable or clinically significant anxiety or depression.

Self-reported adherence to the lifestyle modification program through weekly logs.

时间窗: 18 Months

The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) is scored using a 4-point Likert scale (Never, Sometimes, Often, Routinely) for each of its 52 items. The overall score is calculated as the mean of all item responses, and this mean score is then categorized into four levels: Poor, Moderate, Good, and Excellent. The collected data provides insight into patient engagement, consistency in following health recommendations, and potential barriers to adherence. Regular review of these weekly logs allows clinicians or researchers to track progress, identify patterns of non-compliance, and offer timely support or program adjustments to improve health behaviors and functional recovery outcomes.