Responsiveness and Interrater Reliability of the Short Form of Fullerton Advance Balance Scale in Women With Breast Cancer Following Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background and Objective: Reduced balance performance is among the most common consequences of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in women with breast cancer who receive taxane-based chemotherapy (TBC). We aimed to assess the responsiveness and interrater reliability of the short form of the Fullerton Advanced Balance (SF-FAB) scale in monitoring the balance status of women with breast cancer following a cycle of TBC and the scale's potential to detect balance changes in these people. Methods: In this measurement-focused study, 33 women diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited. After baseline assessments of the SF-FAB and the Revised and Shortened Total Neuropathy Score (TNSr-SF) by 2 raters, participants received 6 to 10 sessions of TBC with a mean interval of 2.61 weeks. After cessation of the chemotherapy cycle, outcomes were reassessed. Twenty-eight participants with a mean age of 46.50 (10.46) years completed the trial. Results: After the interventions, the SF-FAB score decreased significantly (P = .02) and the neuropathy score increased significantly (P < .001), indicating lowered balance and aggravated neuropathy. This study showed excellent interrater reliability for the total score of the SF-FAB, before and after TBC (intraclass correlation coefficient(2,2) ≥ 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.96-0.99). The internal consistency of the scale was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.97) and a moderate negative correlation was observed between the SF-FAB and neuropathy scores (r = −0.63), which was statistically significant (P ˂ .001). Conclusion: Reliable functional tests that are feasible and easy to apply, such as the SF-FAB scale, contribute to a quick screen of women with cancer who undergo TBC as a preliminary to further comprehensive assessments if necessary.

Efeitos do sistema âncora no equilíbrio postural de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento do câncer de mama

“…Dentre os métodos de avaliação do equilíbrio postural, há necessidade de estabelecer as propriedades psicométricas às distintas populações, visto que as investigações científicas são concentradas aos aspectos orgânicos de idosos frágeis e não frágeis. E embora se constate a influência negativa das abordagens terapêuticas e morbidades secundárias ao câncer de mama no equilíbrio postural, os métodos de avaliação congruentes às propriedades de estabilidade e equivalência são restritos ao contexto subjetivo Sinaei et al, 2022).…”