Table 3.
Comparison of pain/quality of life data 12 weeks after radiation therapy to those before radiation therapy
| Item | Value | Standard dose group difference (n = 54) | Experimental dose group difference (n = 53) | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAS (12)-VAS(0) | Mean | −42.3 | −44.4 | |
| SD | 27.4 | 22.8 | ||
| Minimum | −90 | −90 | ||
| Maximum | 20 | 0 | ||
| p | 0.778 | |||
| CS(12)-CS(0) | Mean | 28.0 | 28.4 | |
| S.D. | 21.9 | 20.5 | ||
| Minimum | −16 | −22 | ||
| Maximum | 68 | 65 | ||
| p | 0.779 | |||
| SF12, somatic, doctor (12)-(0) | Mean | 8.8 | 10.4 | |
| SD | 11.8 | 11.2 | ||
| Minimum | −16 | −27 | ||
| Maximum | 40 | 34 | ||
| p | 0.321 | |||
| SF12, psychic, doctor (12)-(0) | Mean | −0.6 | - 0.3 | |
| SD | 10.9 | 8.1 | ||
| Minimum | −29 | −20 | ||
| Maximum | 17 | 25 | ||
| p | 0.662 | |||
| SF12, somatic, patient (12)-(0) | Mean | 8.2 | 8.5 | |
| SD | 11.2 | 10.8 | ||
| Minimum | −16 | −27 | ||
| Maximum | 40 | 36 | ||
| p | 0.559 | |||
| SF12, psychic, patient (12)-(0) | Mean | 0.5 | 1.2 | |
| S.D. | 10.5 | 7.9 | ||
| Minimum | −27 | −21 | ||
| Maximum | 18 | 17 | 0.952 | |
| p |
VAS(0), CS(0), SF12(0): values before start of radiation therapy
VAS(12), CS(12), SF12(12): values after 12 weeks’ follow-up
VAS scale: linear scale, 0 = no pain, 100 = maximum imaginable pain, improvement = negative difference, worsening = positive difference
CS scale: linear scale based on criteria like pain, use of aids, problems at work, in daily life, and performing sports, gait: 0 = maximum pain and disability, 100 = complete freedom from symptoms; improvement = positive difference, worsening = negative difference
SF12 scales: complex scales using 12 items on quality of life; high values = favorable quality of life; improvement = positive difference, worsening = negative difference
SD standard deviation