The Effect of Complex Decongestive Therapy in Patients With Lymphedema
Condition: Lymphedema; Urine Marking; Quality of Life; Edema
MeSH terms: Lymphedema
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study is to investigate objectively the effect of lymphatic fluid which is
      circulated with Complex Decongestive Therapy on fluid excretion from the body in patients
      with lymphedema.
    

Detailed description: 
      The lymphatic system is the accessory circulatory system that takes lymph fluid from the
      interstitial space and adds it to the blood circulation. It starts from the interstitial
      space. It consists of lymph vessels, lymph fluid and lymphatic organs. Lymph fluid passes
      through many lymph nodes during its transport and is filtered in these nodules. The lymphatic
      system takes lymphatic fluid from the tissues and brings it to the venous part of the
      circulatory system. The main task of the lymph system is to reabsorb substances that cannot
      be absorbed by the blood circulation system. Non-absorbable substances in the interstitial
      space are called lymphatic load. Lymphatic load; It consists of protein, water, fat and
      cells. The aim of lymphedema treatment is to remove the protein-rich fluid accumulated in the
      interstitial space into the venous system. There are many factors in the flow of lymph fluid
      into the veins. The most important of these is the high filtration pressure that occurs when
      fluid is filtered through blood capillaries. Lymph fluid flowing from the periphery to the
      center is generally affected by pressure changes and moves from where the pressure is high to
      where it is low. Contraction of the muscles adjacent to the lymph vessels, pulsation of the
      neighboring arteries, and the effect of the smooth muscles in the lymph vessel wall also
      cause pressure changes. Other factors include respiratory movements acting as a pump in the
      lymph flow, the actual pressure effect of abdominal pressure on the cisterna chyli, and
      negative intrathoracic pressure.

      Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy is proven effective and considered the gold standard for
      the treatment of lymphedema. It increases the hydrostatic pressure that has decreased due to
      edema and helps the lymph fluid to re-enter the circulation.

      Purpose of the study; To objectively investigate whether the lymph fluid added to the
      circulation through Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy in lymphedema patients has an effect
      on fluid excretion from the body.
    

Intervention name(s): Complex Decongestive Therapy
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Manual Lymph Drainage: Cervical region lymph drainage and abdominal region lymph drainage (especially combined with abdominal breathing) were applied.
Skin Care: Moisturizing creams with a pH of 5.5 were applied to the extremities before bandaging.
Multilayer Bandaging: Short pull bandage application was applied in a gradient manner.
Exercise: Joint range of motion exercises, breathing exercises (abdominal breathing), decongestive exercises, and self-drainage techniques were taught.
Compression Stocking: After the decongestion phase was over, flat knit compression stockings were recommended according to the patient's extremity.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: A study group that received treatment and was monitored for a total of 20 sessions every day.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment