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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
Is kinesiophobia associated with lymphedema, upper extremity function, and psychological morbidity in breast cancer
Aslı Gencay Can1, Serdar Süleyman Can2, Emel Ekşioğlu1
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Objectives:
This study aims to the effects of kinesiophobia on lymphedema, upper extremity function, depression/anxiety, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
Patients And Methods:
Between January 2015 and January 2016, a total of 81 breast cancer survivors (mean age 54.1±10.8 years; range 44 to 70 years) were included. Lymphedema was evaluated based on the circumference measurements. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were applied to all patients.
Results:
We found a significantly higher rate of lymphedema in the patients with kinesiophobia. Kinesiophobic patients had also significantly higher mean scores of TSK, Q-DASH, HADS-A, and HADS-D and lower mean scores of the SF-36 physical scores. Correlation analysis demonstrated that presence of lymphedema, Q-DASH, HADS-A, and HADS-D scores were significantly associated with the TSK scores.
Conclusion:
Kinesiophobia increases the risk for lymphedema, depression/anxiety, and decreased upper extremity functioning in breast cancer survivors. Identifying kinesiophobia in breast cancer survivors, psychosocial providers may help to prevent undesirable effects of kinesiophobia.
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