Development of an "Early Lymphedema Self-Assessment Tool" for Postoperative Gynecological Cancer Patients

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24242
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Otemae University
• Principal Investigator: Yano Yuko 大手前大学, 国際看護学部, 非常勤 (70406263)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: リンパ浮腫 / 婦人科がん / 早期発見 / 自己アセスメントツール

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We designed a questionnaire with the aim of developing an "early lymphedema self-assessment tool" for postoperative gynecologic cancer patients.
From the literature review and interviews with patients with postoperative lymphedema after gynecologic cancer surgery, the following initial symptoms were extracted: (1) swelling, (2) tingling sensation and discomfort, (3) persistent symptoms not usually seen, (4) sensation of heaviness, (5) feeling of skin tension, (6) discomfort , (7) edema that remains until the next day, (8) edema in the lower abdomen and pubic region, (9)numbness. In addition, fromthe interview results, (1) participants reported their symptoms to their health care providers, (2) they assessed and dealt with their symptoms based on their knowledge of lymphedema, and (3) the knowledge of the health care providers and how they dealt with lymphedema remains an issue.

Free Research Field

成人看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

患者自身がリンパ浮腫の初期症状に気づき、それを医療者へ相談する行動は早期の介入において重要な情報源である。そして、初期症状を診断につなげ早期に管理することで症状の重症化を防ぐことができる。婦人科がん術後リンパ浮腫患者が初期徴候・症状をどのように評価し対処しているのか、その後の専門的治療に至るまでの経緯を明らかにすることは、早期看護介入の示唆を得ることができると考える。また、本研究で得られた結果を公表するは、予防指導や症状の重症化を予防する援助の見直し等について検討するための一資料となり得る。