Body Image, Health-related Quality of Life, and Function After Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection

Range of motion in degrees

时间窗: Baseline

Rang of motion in degrees wil be assessed during the physical examination using a goniometer

Gait biomechanics

时间窗: Baseline

A 3D gait analysis will be conducted. Ground reaction forces will be captured using two force plates embedded in the center of the walkway. Three valid gait trials will be collected (meaning a clear strike on the force plate(s)). For each trial, data on joint angles and net joint moments (via inverse dynamics) and powers around the hip, knee, and ankle will be calculated. Data will be averaged over three trials to represent the outcome. Also, spatiotemporal gait parameters, such as step length (m) step width (m) and walking speed (m/s} will be calculated.

Limb circumference in cm

时间窗: Baseline

Limb circumference in cm will be measured during the physical examination

Muscle strength in newton measured with a handheld dynamometer

时间窗: Baseline

A handheld dynamometer will be used to measure muscle strength during the physical examination. The participant will be asked to lie or to sit in a specific position and resistance will be applied depending on the muscle group to be tested. The dynamometer will be held perpendicular to the tested limb and the participant will be asked to actively perform a maximum contraction against the dynamometer. The participants will be instructed to push as hard as they can, and the examiner will apply equal force to that of the participant. On each muscle group, three trials will be performed, and the highest record among the three trials will be recorded. Newton (N) will be used to express muscle strength.

Muscle strength tested with the MRC scale

时间窗: Baseline

Based on the clinician's assessment of the normal strength of the muscle group under examination, the scale rates muscle strength on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 representing no visible contraction and 5 representing a movement against complete resistance.

Muscle strength in newton meters measured with a Biodex dynamometer.

时间窗: Baseline

Quantitative force of muscles in arms or legs will be assessed using a Biodex dynamometer. The measures will be performed on both sides. On each muscle group, three trials will be performed, and the highest recorded value will be used for the analysis. Peak torque will be calculated and recorded in newton meters (Nm). Peak torque is defined as the highest torque output produced by muscle contraction during a repetition.

Change in muscle volume between preoperative and postoperative MRI scans

时间窗: Baseline

The change in muscle volume between preoperative and postoperative MRI scans will be determined.

Walking energy cost in J/kg/m

时间窗: Baseline

Walking energy cost in J/kg/m will be determined during a 6-minute walk test with simultaneous gas analysis. The oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) are measured breath-by-breath using a portable gas analysis system. First, the energy consumption will be measured for 8 minutes while the subjects are sitting on a chair. Then, the energy cost will be measured while subjects are walking during a 6-minute walk test at a comfortable, self-selected speed on an indoor oval route.

Walking speed in m/s

时间窗: Baseline

Walking speed wil be assessed during the 6-minute walk test. It will be measured and calculated as the average speed over the steady state period.

Time Up and Go (TUG) test

时间窗: Baseline

In the TUG test, the time (in seconds) required for a patient to get up from a chair, walk 3 meters to a marked point on the ground, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down will be recorded.

Timed Up and Down Stairs (TUDS) test

时间窗: Baseline

In the TUDS test, the time (in seconds) required for a patient to go up a flight of stairs quickly and safely, turn around on the top step, and descend to the bottom step with both feet landing on the ground will be recorded.

Body image as assessed by the Body Image Scale (BIS)

时间窗: Baseline

Body image after STS resection will be evaluated with the Body Image Scale (BIS). This questionnaire consists of 10 questions about body image. For each question, the patient has to choose between 'not at all' (score 0), 'a little' (score 1), 'quite a bit' (score 2), and 'very much' (Score 3). In total, a score between 0 and 30 can be achieved with 0 indicating no distress or symptoms and 30 indicating the highest level of distress and symptoms

Health-related quality of life (QoL) as assessed by the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Computerized Adaptive Test (PROMIS-CAT)

时间窗: Baseline

Health-related QoL and activity limitations will be assessed using the PROMIS-CAT health domains: physical functioning, social role participation, pain interference, fatigue, upper extremity, and emotional distress (anxiety and depression). PROMIS instruments are scored with T-scores, which are standardized to the general population. The average of the reference population is set at 50 points, with a standard deviation of 10.

Quality of life as assessed by the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire

时间窗: Baseline

This questionnaire is divided into two sections: the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system consists of five domains: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. There are five levels for each dimension. Patients will be asked to check the box next to the most suitable statement in every one of the five dimensions. For the EQ-VAS, patients will assess their health on a vertical visual analogue scale from 0 to 100 (0 being the worst and 100 being the best imaginable health).

Level of pain as assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

时间窗: Baseline

The level of pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) 0 to 10. The pain will be measured at four intervals, with 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst pain imaginable: currently (1), average last week (2), severity pain when worst (3) or least (4).