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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Lower Extremity Lymphedema

2 giugno 2026 aggiornato da: Ayça Utkan Karasu, Gazi University

Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in Lower Extremity Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lower extremity lymphedema is a chronic and progressive condition associated with significant functional impairment and reduced quality of life. The current gold-standard treatment is Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT); however, a substantial proportion of patients continue to experience persistent symptoms during the maintenance phase. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) as an adjunct to standard CDT maintenance therapy in patients with lower extremity lymphedema. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an active ESWT group or a sham ESWT group, with both groups continuing standard CDT maintenance throughout the study. ESWT will be administered twice weekly for five sessions. Changes in limb volume, skin thickness and subcutaneous tissue thickness assessed by ultrasonography, pain, functional status, and quality of life will be evaluated at baseline, after treatment, and at one-month follow-up.

Panoramica dello studio

Descrizione dettagliata

Lower extremity lymphedema results from impairment of the lymphatic system and is characterized by progressive tissue fibrosis, chronic limb swelling, recurrent infections, and reduced quality of life. Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT), recommended by the International Society of Lymphology, remains the gold-standard treatment. Despite adherence to CDT, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms and functional decline, underscoring the need for effective adjunctive interventions.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive modality that has shown potential benefits in reducing fibrosis and improving lymphatic function. While its efficacy has been reported in upper extremity lymphedema, evidence in lower extremity lymphedema remains limited.

This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. Patients currently in CDT Phase 2 (maintenance phase) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either active ESWT or sham ESWT, using stratified randomization by lymphedema stage. All participants will continue standard maintenance therapy - compression garments, skin care, and exercise - throughout the study. ESWT will be applied to fibrotic tissue regions and periinguinal and peripopliteal lymph node areas using the EMS Swiss DolorClast® device, with 3,000 impulses per session at 20 Hz and 2 bar. The primary outcome is change in lower extremity circumferential measurements and limb volume. Secondary outcomes include skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness assessed by ultrasonography, pain intensity measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), lymphedema-specific quality of life evaluated by the LYMQOL-Leg, and functional status assessed by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at one-month follow-up.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

36

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

  • Nome: Ayca Utkan Karasu, M.D
  • Numero di telefono: +903122025219 +905365759757
  • Email: ayca_utkan@yahoo.com

Luoghi di studio

    • Yenimahalle
      • Ankara, Yenimahalle, Turchia (Türkiye), 06560
        • Gazi University Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, 06560
        • Investigatore principale:
          • Ayca Utkan Karasu, MD
        • Contatto:
        • Contatto:
        • Investigatore principale:
          • Turkan Gokcelik, MD
        • Sub-investigatore:
          • Ilknur Onurlu, MD

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto
  • Adulto più anziano

Accetta volontari sani

No

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 80 years
  • Clinical diagnosis of lower extremity lymphedema established at least 6 months prior to enrollment
  • Completion of at least one cycle of CDT Phase 1 (intensive decongestive phase) within the preceding six months
  • Currently in CDT Phase 2 (maintenance phase) with active use of compression garments
  • Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • Active infection
  • Lower extremity vascular diseases including deep vein thrombosis or arterial insufficiency
  • Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
  • Pregnancy
  • Bleeding disorders

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Trattamento
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Doppio

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: ESWT + CDT Maintenance
Participants in this group receive active Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) applied to fibrotic tissue regions of the affected lower extremity and periinguinal and peripopliteal lymph node areas, in addition to standard CDT maintenance therapy. ESWT will be administered twice weekly for a total of five sessions.
Radial shock wave therapy will be applied using the EMS Swiss DolorClast® device. Each session will consist of 3,000 impulses delivered at 20 Hz and 2 bar using a 40 mm applicator, targeting fibrotic tissue regions and periinguinal and peripopliteal lymph node areas. ESWT will be administered twice weekly for five sessions
Altri nomi:
  • ESWT
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Comparatore fittizio: Sham ESWT + CDT Maintenance
Participants in this group receive sham ESWT applied to the same anatomical regions using identical device positioning and application procedures, but with only non-energized impulses delivered. Standard CDT maintenance therapy will be continued throughout the study.
Sham ESWT will be applied with identical positioning and session duration as the active ESWT group. Only non-energized impulses will be delivered, ensuring participant blinding. Sham ESWT will be administered twice weekly for five sessions.
Altri nomi:
  • Sham Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
  • Sham ESWT

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Change in Lower Extremity Limb Volume
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Change in lower extremity limb volume calculated using the truncated cone formula. Volume will be estimated from circumferential measurements taken at 4 cm intervals from approximately 2 cm proximal to the medial malleolus to the inguinal region, with the patient in the supine position.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Change in Lower Extremity Circumferential Measurements
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3) and 1-month follow-up
Change in lower extremity circumferential measurements taken at 4 cm intervals from approximately 2 cm proximal to the medial malleolus to the inguinal region, with the patient in the supine position using a non-elastic tape measure. The difference between baseline and post-treatment values will be compared between groups.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3) and 1-month follow-up
Change in Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness Assessed by Ultrasonography
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Change in skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness measured by B-mode linear ultrasonography at standardized anatomical sites on the affected lower extremity. Three measurements will be obtained at each site and averaged.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Change in Lymphedema-Specific Quality of Life (LYMQOL-Leg)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Lymphedema-specific quality of life will be assessed using the LYMQOL-Leg questionnaire, a patient-reported outcome measure consisting of 22 items evaluating function, body image, symptoms, and emotional well-being. Each item is scored from 1 to 4, and an overall quality of life score is rated separately on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Change in Lower Extremity Functional Status (LEFS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Lower extremity functional status will be assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). The LEFS consists of 20 items, each scored from 0 to 4, yielding a total score ranging from 0 (extreme difficulty or inability to perform all activities) to 80 (no difficulty), with higher scores indicating better functional status.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up
Pain intensity will be assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with lower scores indicating less pain.
Baseline, immediately after treatment (week 3), and 1-month follow-up

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Sponsor

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Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

22 giugno 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

1 febbraio 2027

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

1 febbraio 2027

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

21 maggio 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

2 giugno 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

4 giugno 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

4 giugno 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

2 giugno 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 giugno 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

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Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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