title: Bioelectrical impedance self-measurement protocol development and daily variation between healthy volunteers and breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A significant percentage of breast cancer survivors are at risk for lymphedema for which lifelong self-care is required. Previous studies suggest that less than 50% of breast cancer survivors with lymphedema (BCS-LE) perform prescribed self-care tasks and that even wearing a compression sleeve, the most commonly reported self-care activity, is done irregularly. Reasons for poor self-care adherence include perceived lack of results from self-care (no available arm volume data) and perceived inability to manage the condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two-part pilot study was conducted to: 1) develop and determine the feasibility of a self-measurement protocol using a single frequency bioelectrical impedance device; and 2) examine daily variation in extracellular volume in healthy and lymphedematous limbs. Healthy and BCS-LE volunteers were recruited to refine and test a self-measurement protocol. Volunteers were trained in the use of the device and measured for 5 consecutive days in a laboratory setting. They were then given the device to use at home for an additional 5 consecutive days of self-measurement. All volunteers completed each scheduled home measurement. Daily variability in both groups was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Home self-measurement using bioelectrical impedance is feasible, acceptable, and captures change. This has implications for both self-care support and for the possibility of incorporating self-measurement using bioelectrical impedance in future clinical trials examining effectiveness of lymphedema treatment.
authors: 1 School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee.
authors: Sheila H
authors: SH
authors: Ridner
authors: Candace M
authors: CM
authors: Bonner
authors: Jennifer K
authors: JK
authors: Doersam
authors: Bethany A
authors: BA
authors: Rhoten
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Schultze
authors: Mary S
authors: MS
authors: Dietrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017741:Survivors