Oncology Section EDGE Task Force on Breast Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Outcome Measures for Functional Mobility

Background: Breast cancer treatments in women with breast cancer often result in physical impairments that lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions. These limitations and restrictions manifest in impaired functional mobility skills that may impact survivorship. Thus, evaluation of functional mobility is an important part of survivorship care. Purpose: To identify functional mobility outcome measures that possess strong psychometric properties and are clinically useful for examination of women treated for breast cancer. Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched for articles published after 1995. Studies were included if they reported psychometric properties, used clinically feasible methods, were performed on adults, and published in the English language. Each outcome measure was independently evaluated and rated by two reviewers. A single Cancer EDGE Task Force Outcome Measure Rating Form was completed for each category of functional mobility, and a recommendation was made using the 4-point Cancer EDGE Task Force Rating Scale. Results: Of the original 819 articles found, 211 were included in this review. A total of 11 measures are recommended for clinical use: the Timed Up and Go; the 2-Minute, 6-Minute, and 12-Minute Walk Tests; 10-Meter Walk; 5 Times Sit to Stand; Short Performance Physical Battery; Physical Battery for Patients with Cancer; Functional Independence Measure (FIM); Assessment of Life Habits; and Activity Measure for Post-acute Care. Conclusions: Many tools are available to assess upper extremity and overall functional mobility skills in women treated for breast cancer. There are currently no tools recommended that assess community participation.