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ORIGINAL PAPER
Efficacy of modified complex decongestive therapy on limb girth, skin thickness, and functional capacity in patients with lower limb secondary lymphoedema
1
Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory Disorders and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Submission date: 2020-03-29
Acceptance date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-06-21
Physiother Quart. 2021;29(2):49-55
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Lymphoedema is a serious health problem that impairs functional performance. The study aim was to explore the effects of modified complex decongestive therapy (MCDT) on lower limb oedema, skin layer thickness, and functional capacity in patients with unilateral lower limb secondary lymphoedema.
Methods:
Overall, 49 patients (30 women and 19 men) with unilateral lower limb secondary lymphoedema were divided into the MCDT group and the traditional physical therapy (TPT) group and received the assigned treatment for 8 weeks. Limb girth and skin layer thickness at 4 levels and functional capacity were measured before and after the programs with limb round measurements, ultrasonography, and the 6-minute walking test, respectively.
Results:
The oedema significantly decreased at the levels of 5th metatarsal head, medial malleolus, 20 cm below, and 20 cm above the patella by 19.2%, 28.34%, 16.57%, and 12.08% in the MCDT group and by 13.47%, 15.27%, 8.78%, and 7.15% in the TPT group. The skin thickness decreased significantly at the levels of foot, medial malleolus, mid-calf, and mid-thigh by 70.32%, 63.32%, 31.82%, and 15.46% in the MCDT group and by 54.4%, 37.26%, 21.02%, and 9.12% in the TPT group. The 6-minute walking test score increased significantly by 9.84% in the MCDT group and by 5.52% in the TPT group. The post-study results comparison of the 2 groups revealed statistically significant differences in all outcome measures (p > 0.05) in favour of the MCDT group.
Conclusions:
MCDT yielded higher significantly favourable effects than TPT in patients with lower limb secondary lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is a serious health problem that impairs functional performance. The study aim was to explore the effects of modified complex decongestive therapy (MCDT) on lower limb oedema, skin layer thickness, and functional capacity in patients with unilateral lower limb secondary lymphoedema.
Methods:
Overall, 49 patients (30 women and 19 men) with unilateral lower limb secondary lymphoedema were divided into the MCDT group and the traditional physical therapy (TPT) group and received the assigned treatment for 8 weeks. Limb girth and skin layer thickness at 4 levels and functional capacity were measured before and after the programs with limb round measurements, ultrasonography, and the 6-minute walking test, respectively.
Results:
The oedema significantly decreased at the levels of 5th metatarsal head, medial malleolus, 20 cm below, and 20 cm above the patella by 19.2%, 28.34%, 16.57%, and 12.08% in the MCDT group and by 13.47%, 15.27%, 8.78%, and 7.15% in the TPT group. The skin thickness decreased significantly at the levels of foot, medial malleolus, mid-calf, and mid-thigh by 70.32%, 63.32%, 31.82%, and 15.46% in the MCDT group and by 54.4%, 37.26%, 21.02%, and 9.12% in the TPT group. The 6-minute walking test score increased significantly by 9.84% in the MCDT group and by 5.52% in the TPT group. The post-study results comparison of the 2 groups revealed statistically significant differences in all outcome measures (p > 0.05) in favour of the MCDT group.
Conclusions:
MCDT yielded higher significantly favourable effects than TPT in patients with lower limb secondary lymphoedema.
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