Development and Usability Evaluation of an Arm Circumference Measurement Tool For Patients Undergoing Breast Surgery

Development and Usability Evaluation of an Arm Circumference Measurement Tool For Patients Undergoing Breast Surgery

The aim of this study is to develop an arm circumference measurement device that can be used by both patients and nurses in the follow-up of upper extremity lymphedema, which may occur as a result of breast cancer surgery, and to evaluate its usability. This study also seeks to determine whether the developed device can offer a more accurate, faster, and more practical alternative compared to traditional tape measurements. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is there a significant difference in intra-observer reliability between the measurements taken by nurses and patients using the arm circumference measurement device and those taken using a traditional tape measure?

Is there a significant difference in inter-observer reliability between the measurements taken by nurses and patients using the arm circumference measurement device and those taken using a traditional tape measure?

Is there a significant difference in the measurement results obtained by nurses and patients when using the arm circumference measurement device compared to a traditional tape measure?

Do nurses and patients experience a difference in the duration of arm circumference measurements when using the measurement device versus a traditional tape measure?

Is there a difference in the satisfaction levels of nurses and patients regarding arm circumference measurements performed with the measurement device versus a traditional tape measure? This study will be conducted in two phases: the first phase involves the development of the arm circumference measurement tool, and the second phase involves the evaluation of its usability through a double-blind, two-group, crossover randomized controlled trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

Nurses:

-Currently working in General Surgery or Surgical Oncology clinics

Patients:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Newly diagnosed with breast cancer confirmed by histopathology
• Planned to undergo radical mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, or breast-conserving surgery
• Scheduled for axillary lymph node dissection (at least two lymph nodes to be dissected)
• Able to understand information related to circumference measurement and perform the required skills

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients:

• Patients who have undergone bilateral lymph node dissection
• Patients with a prior diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, etc.)