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Press Releases
HCRC co-director works on lymphedema grant with NASA researcher
Columbia, Mo. (Aug. 20, 2004) - Jane Armer, co-director of the Health Communication Research Center, will begin an exploratory five-day lymphedema study on Aug. 23 at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center with a NASA researcher and Vanderbilt University oncology nurse researcher.
Armer will work on the five-day venture with Leslie Montgomery of NASA Ames Research Center and Sheila Ridner of Vanderbilt University to examine the limb volume in healthy volunteers and volunteers with known lymphedema (protein-rich swelling) by means of circumferences, perometry, and bioelectrical impedance.
Circumferences will be determined using a tape measure, an infra-red laser perometer, and electrical impedance measuring resistance and conductivity in the presence of protein in the tissues. Each participant will have these three sets of measures carried out on both limbs. Associations of each assessment measure will be compared on both healthy and lymphedematous limbs.
A total of 40 volunteers will participate in the study. Twenty of the volunteers will have no history of lymphedema or breast cancer. The other twenty volunteers will have the confirmed diagnosis of lymphedema in one limb only and no history of primary lymphedema in the other limbs.
Although a variety of methods for assessing limb volume are reported in the literature, associations among circumferences, perometry, and electrical impedance in healthy and lymphedematous limbs have not been reported in the literature. This exploratory work may lead to better understanding of the tissue changes in the presence of lymphedema and also to understanding best ways to assess and diagnose lymphedema in the clinical setting. The additional benefit to this type of collaboration is the respect that is gained amongst these researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Armer, Ph.D., RN, is an associate professor at MU Sinclair School of Nursing and director of nursing research at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. Montgomery, Ph.D., is the Lockheed Martin Manager of the Biomedical Applications Laboratory of the Astrobiology Technology Branch of NASA Ames Research Center and is the primary investigator on an National Institute of Health (NIH) technology transfer grant on electrical impedance. Ridner, Ph.D., RN, is an oncology nurse researcher and post-doctoral fellow from Vanderbilt University who studies post-breast cancer lymphedema and quality of life.
For further information on the study or collaborators, call (573) 882-0287 or e-mail armer@missouri.edu.
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