title: Evaluation of shoulder disability questionnaires used for the assessment of shoulder disability after neck dissection for head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several questionnaires have been used to evaluate shoulder disability after neck dissection. The purpose of this study was to review these measures and highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was performed to identify measures of shoulder disability after head and neck cancer surgery. These measures were evaluated in terms of their methods of development and assessment of their psychometric properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven questionnaires were identified. Several of the other questionnaires have been well developed but have not had their psychometric properties assessed in the head and neck cancer population. Each questionnaire has its strengths and weaknesses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strengths and weaknesses of the shoulder disability questionnaires should be considered when deciding which questionnaire to use. Efforts should be focused on using well-designed questionnaires that have been assessed in this patient population rather than developing or using other questionnaires.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Jolie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ringash
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bissada
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jaquet
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chepeha
authors.forename: Aileen M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES); Disabilities of the Arm; Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII); Shoulder; Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); and Hand Questionnaire (DASH); shoulder disability; shoulder impairments; shoulder scales