Aerobic Exercise Effects in Lower Extremity Lymphedema
22 juli 2026 bijgewerkt door: Sinem Akselim, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Ultrasonographic Parameters, Functional Status, Balance, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lower Extremity Lymphedema
Lower extremity lymphedema negatively affects patients' functional status, quality of life, and activities of daily living. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is considered the gold-standard conservative treatment for patients with lymphedema. CDT consists of manual lymph drainage (MLD), skin care, compression bandaging, and exercise. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CDT in patients with lower extremity lymphedema. However, the results of studies investigating the effectiveness of different types of exercise are inconsistent. Moreover, most of these studies have been conducted in patients with upper extremity lymphedema, and the outcome measures have generally been limited to limb circumference measurements and quality of life assessments.
To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has comprehensively evaluated the effects of aerobic exercise on both ultrasonographic parameters (quantitative data) and functional outcomes in patients with lower extremity lymphedema, as planned in the present study. Therefore, this study was designed to contribute to the existing literature by investigating these effects.
Studie Overzicht
Toestand
Nog niet aan het werven
Conditie
Interventie / Behandeling
Studietype
Ingrijpend
Inschrijving (Geschat)
50
Fase
- Niet toepasbaar
Contacten en locaties
In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.
Studiecontact
- Naam: Sinem Akselim
- Telefoonnummer: +905336391332
- E-mail: sinemakselim@gmail.com
Deelname Criteria
Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.
Geschiktheidscriteria
Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie
- Volwassen
- Oudere volwassene
Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers
Nee
Beschrijving
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of lower extremity lymphedema (unilateral or bilateral)
- Age ≥18 years
- Absence of cognitive impairment
- Provision of written informed consent to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Cognitive impairment
- Presence of general contraindications to exercise (e.g., hemodynamic instability, uncontrolled hypertension, decompensated heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, or unstable angina pectoris)
- Presence of neurological diseases affecting the lower extremities that would preclude participation in the exercise program
- Presence of unhealed fractures in the lower extremities preventing exercise therapy
- Active systemic infection or local infection in the treatment area, such as cellulitis, erysipelas, or thrombophlebitis in the lower extremities
- Acute venous thromboembolic events involving the lower extremities
- Heart failure or renal failure that may cause lower extremity edema
- Presence of concomitant lipedema
- Presence of venous insufficiency
- Ongoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy (among patients with malignancy-related lymphedema)
- Pregnancy
Studie plan
Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.
Hoe is de studie opgezet?
Ontwerpdetails
- Primair doel: Behandeling
- Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
- Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
- Masker: Dubbele
Wapens en interventies
Deelnemersgroep / Arm |
Interventie / Behandeling |
|---|---|
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Actieve vergelijker: control group
participants receive standart complete decongestive therapy including manuel lymph drainage,compression therapy, skin care and exercises
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manuel lymph drainage, skin care, joint rom exercises, compression
|
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Experimenteel: exercise group
participants receive complete decongestive therapy combined with an aerobic exercise program
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manuel lymph drainage, skin care, joint rom exercises, compression
Aerobic exercise using a recumbent cycle ergometer for 20-30 minutes. The exercise intensity will be set to reach 40-60% of the maximum target heart rate reserve. The treatment program will be administered for approximately 1 hour per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 4 weeks (20 sessions). |
Wat meet het onderzoek?
Primaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
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Kinesiophobia
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Kinesiophobia will be assessed using the validated Turkish version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), a 17-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 17 to 68.
Change in score from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
Higher scores indicate greater kinesiophobia.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
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musculoskeletal ultrasonography- Muscle and Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
All ultrasonographic measurements will be performed by the same experienced examiner under standardized conditions and will be assessed using B-mode ultrasonography. Quadriceps muscle thickness and subcutaneous tissue thickness will be assessed at standardized anatomical landmarks of the anterior thigh. Subcutaneous tissue thickness will be assessed at standardized anatomical sites of the lower limb. Measurements will be recorded in millimeters (mm). Greater thickness indicates increased muscle mass or subcutaneous tissue thickness, respectively. Change in muscle thickness from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated. |
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
|
musculoskeletal ultrasonography- Subcutaneous Tissue Echogenicity
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Subcutaneous tissue echogenicity will be assessed by analyzing grayscale intensity values within a defined region of interest using B-mode ultrasonography.
Echogenicity will be quantified in grayscale values (arbitrary units).
Higher values indicate increased echogenicity.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
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Balance
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Balance performance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), a 14-item performance-based measure with a total score ranging from 0 to 56.
Each item is scored on a 5-point scale (0-4), with higher scores indicating better balance.
Change in score from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
|
functional mobility
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, which measures the time (in seconds) required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down.
Change in time from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
Higher times indicate poorer functional mobility.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
|
Lower limb functional status
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Lower limb functional status will be assessed using the Lower Limb Functional Index (LLFI), a 25-item patient-reported outcome measure with a total score ranging from 0 to 100.
Scores are typically expressed as a percentage, with higher scores indicating better functional status.
Change in score from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Secundaire uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
|
fatigue
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Fatigue severity will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a 9-item self-reported questionnaire with each item scored from 1 to 7. The total score is calculated as the mean of the items, ranging from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.
Change in score from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
|
depression
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Depression will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21-item self-reported questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 63.
Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.
Change in score from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
|
health related quality of life
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Lymphedema-related quality of life will be assessed using the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL), a disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure including domains such as function, appearance, symptoms, and mood.
Domain scores and overall score range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating worse quality of life.
Change in scores from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Andere uitkomstmaten
Uitkomstmaat |
Maatregel Beschrijving |
Tijdsspanne |
|---|---|---|
|
functional capacity
Tijdsspanne: baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Functional exercise capacity will be assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), which measures the distance walked in meters over 6 minutes.
Change in distance from baseline to post-treatment will be evaluated.
Greater distances indicate better functional performance.
|
baseline (before the first rehabilitation session) and immediately after completing 20 sessions of rehabilitation (4 weeks)
|
Medewerkers en onderzoekers
Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.
Studie record data
Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.
Bestudeer belangrijke data
Studie start (Geschat)
1 augustus 2026
Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)
15 december 2026
Studie voltooiing (Geschat)
15 maart 2027
Studieregistratiedata
Eerst ingediend
12 maart 2026
Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria
22 juli 2026
Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)
24 juli 2026
Updates van studierecords
Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)
24 juli 2026
Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria
22 juli 2026
Laatst geverifieerd
1 juli 2026
Meer informatie
Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie
Andere studie-ID-nummers
- 2024-TBEK-2025/12-15
Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)
Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?
NEE
Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten
Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel
Nee
Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct
Nee
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