Lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) is a debilitating complication for patients with gynecologic cancer. A series of strategies have been recommended to mitigate the risk of LEL and improve patient outcomes; however, investigation into LEL risk management behaviours in this population is limited, and the absence of reliable and valid tools is an important reason.
To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the lower extremity lymphedema risk management behaviours questionnaire (LELRMBQ) for Chinese patients with gynaecologic cancer.
This was a methodological study.
Initial items were generated using a literature review. The initial LELRMBQ was refined, and its content validity was evaluated by conducting two rounds of expert consultation and a pilot study. Psychometric testing of 389 participants recruited by convenience sampling was conducted from December 2022 to June 2023. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA; subsample 1, N = 158) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; subsample 2, N = 231) were performed separately to determine the multi-dimensional structure of the questionnaire. Known-group validity, internal consistency reliability, and test–retest reliability were also evaluated.
A total of 25 items with satisfactory content validity were included in psychometric testing. The EFA identified a four-factor structure, comprising 18 items, which explained 74.49% of the total variance. The CFA supported this structure with acceptable fit indices. Known-group validity was partially supported by significant differences in total LELRMBQ scores among groups with different education levels, residence, cancer type, and LEL awareness. Internal consistency and temporal stability were acceptable.
The 18-item LELRMBQ demonstrated sufficient reliability and validity as a tool for measuring LEL risk management behaviours in patients with gynaecologic cancer.
The LELRMBQ has potential applicability in assessing LEL risk management behaviours, identifying gaps in educational practices, tailoring effective interventions, and evaluating intervention effectiveness.
This manuscript followed the STROBE guidelines.
Patients with gynecologic cancer participated in this study and provided the data through the survey.
This study aimed to synthesise current evidence about the experiences and needs of informal caregivers of community-dwelling frail older adults to inform targeted interventions for improving their caregiving situations.
This was a mixed methods systematic review using the convergent integrated analysis framework.
We conducted systematic searches across 11 databases, including CINAHL, CNKI, EMBASE, OpenGrey, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, SinoMed, VIP, WanFang and Web of Science, as well as reference lists, for studies published between January 1, 2000 and March 12, 2025. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesised using a narrative approach.
Of the 5297 citations, 2905 were screened for titles and abstracts, 176 were further screened for full-texts and eight studies were included (n = 6 quantitative, n = 2 qualitative; 1949 caregivers). The themes of caregiving experiences related to (1) influential factors contributing to negative, (2) or positive caregiver outcomes; (3) coping strategies or resources that caregivers employed to address caregiving situations; the outcomes that could be (4) negatively, (5) or positively impacted by caregiving; and (6) difficulties they encountered related to caring for frail older adults. Caregivers expressed needs for psychological support, detailed information on available resources, and family-centred and integrated public services with self-advocacy and coordinators.
This review highlights broad areas that require more attention for enhancing the well-being of these caregivers. More research is warranted on caregivers' experiences, needs, and interventions, especially their support needs. A theoretical framework, comparative analyses between child caregivers and spousal caregivers, as well as emphasising both mastery and competence, is recommended for future research and practice.
Our findings hold the potential to guide the development of needs-oriented and evidence-based interventions tailored to the unique challenges faced by caregivers, thereby supporting them in their caregiving roles.
This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
No patient or public contribution due to design.
In 2015, the term ‘intrinsic capacity’ (IC) was proposed by the World Health Organisation to promote healthy aging. However, the factors associated with IC are still discrepant and uncertain.
We aim to synthesise the factors connected with IC.
This scoping review followed the five-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley and was reported using PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
In all, 29 articles were included. IC of older adults is associated with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, disease conditions, behavioural factors, and biomarkers. Age, sex, marital status, occupation status, education, income/wealth, chronic diseases, hypertension, diabetes, disability, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were emerged as important factors related to the IC of older adults.
This review shows that IC is related to multiple factors. Understanding these factors can provide the healthcare personnel with the theoretical basis for intervening and managing IC in older adults.
The influencing factors identified in the review help to guide older adults to maintain their own intrinsic capacity, thereby promoting their health and well-being. The modifiable factors also provide evidence for healthcare personnel to develop targeted intervention strategies to delay IC decline.
As this is a scoping review, no patient or public contributions are required.