The Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on the Autonomic Nerve System

Does Manual Lymph Drainage Affect Autonomic Functions in Healthy Women?

Forty healthy women who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. In the single-blind randomized controlled study, the participants were divided into 3 groups manual lymphatic drainage(MLD), sham MLD, and control group. After evaluating the demographic information, blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV) of the participants, the cold pressure test was applied. Immediately after the test, blood pressure and HRV were re-evaluated. The MLD group received short neck, abdominal, and lymph node stimulation and right arm MLD applications. A sham protocol was applied to the sham MLD group. The control group was asked to lie on their back for 10 minutes. After the application, blood pressure and HRV were re-evaluated.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Manual lymph drainage

Detailed Description

The participants included in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups; manual lymph drainage, sham manual lymph drainage, and a control group in the computer program.

Participants rested for 5 minutes before the first evaluation. The first evaluation was made after the demographic information of the participant was obtained. Within the scope of this evaluation, blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability were evaluated. All assessments were performed on the patient's dominant upper extremity. After the evaluation, cold pressure test was applied to the dominant extremity. A second assessment was made immediately after the test. All of the parameters examined within the scope of the first evaluation were examined for the second time. Appropriate treatment was applied to the group to which the participant belonged. After the treatment, the third evaluation was made and the study was terminated. All participants were asked to avoid exercise, caffeine, energy drinks, and heavy meals at least 1 hour before the test. Environmental noise, light, and temperature were controlled during the test.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Kutahya
    • Kütahya, Kutahya, Turkey, 43100
      • Kutahya Health Sciences University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• being over 18 years of age
• being voluntary to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• having advanced cardiorespiratory diseases
• orthopedic and neurological problems
• using medication related to pain
• cardiovascular system, having skin disorders that prevent skin contact
• having cold urticaria

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Manual lymph drainage group; Manual lymph drainage; neck drainage, abdominal drainage, stimulation of axillary lymph nodes, and right arm drainage were performed by following a special technique and sequence. MLD was applied in a comfortable position while the patient was lying in the supine position. It took an average of 20 minutes.	Other: Manual lymph drainage; one session 20 minutes; Other Names: Sham manual lymph drainage
Sham Comparator: Sham manual lymph drainage group; Sham manual lymph drainage; deep pressure was applied from distal to proximal with rapid movements to the right extremity to which the cold pressure test was applied. Fingers, dorsal and palmar surfaces of the hand, forearm, elbow, and upper arm were applied in order. The application was performed while the patient was lying in the supine position and lasted an average of 20 minutes.	Other: Manual lymph drainage; one session 20 minutes; Other Names: Sham manual lymph drainage
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in the control group were asked to lie on their backs for 10 minutes without speaking in a quiet, calm environment. At the end of 10 minutes, the patient was placed in a sitting position again and the third evaluation was performed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
autonomic functions assessment	heart rate variability	1 year
physiological parameter	Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kim SJ, Kwon OY, Yi CH. Effects of manual lymph drainage on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. Int J Neurosci. 2009;119(8):1105-17. doi: 10.1080/00207450902834884.
• Honguten A, Mekhora K, Pichaiyongwongdee S, Somprasong S. Effects of lymphatic drainage therapy on autonomic nervous system responses in healthy subjects: A single blind randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:169-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.03.019. Epub 2021 Mar 28.
• Schingale FJ, Esmer M, Kupeli B, Unal D. Investigation of the Less Known Effects of Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A Narrative Review. Lymphat Res Biol. 2022 Feb;20(1):7-10. doi: 10.1089/lrb.2019.0091. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 15, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 15, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): May 15, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 30, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): April 12, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 12, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 30, 2023
• Last Verified: January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: autonomic function; heart rate variability; manual lymph drainage; cold pressure test
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2021/03-06

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No