The Effect of Complex Decongestive Therapy on Physical Performance, Balance, Muscle Strength and Mood in Patients with Lower Extremity Lymphedema

Authors : Meral Karakoç, Dilek Aygün Keşim, Serda Em

Pages : 703-711

Doi:10.5798/dicletip.1840652

View : 37 | Download : 82

Publication Date : 2025-12-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on physical performance, balance, muscle strength and mood in patients with lower extremity lymphedema. Methods: Twenty female patients diagnosed with lower extremity lymphedema were included. Therapy was applied once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Sessions lasted approximately 60 minutes. All measurements and evaluations were recorded before and after therapy. Results: A significant difference was found between healthy and affected circumferential measurements. Mean of timed up and go test 6.70±1.71 before the treatment and 6.15±1.56 after the treatment, the difference was significant. The mean of standing on one leg was 8.31±5.16 before treatment and 9.2±6.20 after treatment, difference was not significant. Before treatment, there was no significance between hip flexion, hip extension, knee flexion and plantar flexion muscle strength values in healthy extremities and in affected extremities. The number of participants classified as non-depressed was 4 before therapy but 8 after therapy. 9 people were mildly depressed before therapy, this number decreased to 7 after therapy. Before and after the therapy, 4 people were evaluated as moderately depressed. Number of patients with severe depression was 3 before therapy, but decreased to 1 after therapy. Conclusion: Complex decongestive therapy is a standard treatment method for lymphedema. We suggest that CDT had beneficial and curative effects on physical performance, balance, muscle strength and depression parameters in our patients.
Keywords : Lenfödem, KDT, Fiziksel Aktivite, Kas Gücü, Denge, Duygu Durum.

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