Development of the Functional Independence and Difficulty Scale Hospital Version: Pilot Study of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

Abstract

[Purpose] This was a pilot study to verify the Functional Independence and Difficulty Scale Hospital Version (FIDS-H) for patients with head and neck cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. [Participants and Methods] We enrolled 14 head and neck cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. FIDS-H, functional independence measure (FIM), Karnofsky Performance Status, Performance Status, Short Physical Performance Battery, grip strength, and serum albumin level were measured before and 5 weeks following the treatment. [Results] FIDS-H had a stronger correlation with physical function than FIM. [Conclusion] The results suggest that FIDS-H better reflects the related physical functions of head and neck cancer patients than FIM.