title: Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema (Lymph-ICF-LL): reliability and validity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients may develop primary (congenital) or secondary (acquired) lymphedema, causing significant physical and psychosocial problems. To plan treatment for lymphedema and monitor a patient's progress, swelling, and problems in functioning associated with lymphedema development should be assessed at baseline and follow-up.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability (test-retest, internal consistency, and measurement variability) and validity (content and construct) of data obtained with the Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema (Lymph-ICF-LL).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Lymph-ICF-LL is a descriptive, evaluative tool containing 28 questions about impairments in function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in patients with lower limb lymphedema. The questionnaire has 5 domains: physical function, mental function, general tasks/household activities, mobility activities, and life domains/social life. The reliability and validity of the Lymph-ICF-LL were examined in 30 participants with objective lower limb lymphedema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from .69 to .94, and Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency ranged from .82 to .97. Measurement variability was acceptable (standard error of measurement=5.9-12.6). Content validity was good because all questions were understandable for 93% of participants, the scoring system (visual analog scale) was clear, and the questionnaire was comprehensive for 90% of participants. Construct validity was good. All hypotheses for assessing convergent validity and divergent validity were accepted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The known-groups validity and responsiveness of the Dutch Lymph-ICF-LL and the cross-cultural validity of the English version of the Lymph-ICF-LL were not investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Lymph-ICF-LL is a Dutch questionnaire with evidence of reliability and validity for assessing impairments in function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in people with primary or secondary lower limb lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: N. Devoogdt, PT, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Leuven, Belgium, and Leuven Lymphoedema Center, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Devoogdt
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Groef
authors.forename: Ad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hendrickx
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Damstra
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christiaansen
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geraerts
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vervloesem
authors.forename: Ignace
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergote
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Kampen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires