Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Upper Extremity Lymphedema

Lymphedema is an inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of excess water, plasma proteins, as well as extravascular blood and parenchymal cells in the affected upper and lower arms, chest and/or trunk due to inadequate lymphatic carrying capacity, associated with high-severity, recurrent soft tissue infections that can lead to sepsis and even death. It is a disease. Although there is no definitive treatment for lymphedema disease, a Complex Decongestive Treatment approach, including manual lymph drainage, skin care, special exercises, compression and self-care, has been defined to slow the progression of the disease and prevent secondary complications. In addition, similar to vagus nerve activation with manual lymphatic drainage, parasympathetic nerve activation has been defined. system activation can be increased. The aim of our study is to examine the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on quality of life, grip strength and dexterity in unilateral upper extremity lymphedema patients. It was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study. The population of the study will be lymphedema patients in Gaziosmanpaşa Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, and the sample will be 27 volunteer patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was planned as a single center (Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital). Participants will be randomly divided into three groups. Subjects will be instructed to draw an envelope from a secret box. Each envelope will contain a yellow, red and blue card and they will be assigned to one of the 3 groups of the study accordingly. Only the Complex Decongestive Treatment (manual lymph drainage, skin care, special exercises, compression) approach will be applied to the first group, Complex Decongestive Treatment and sham transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation to the second group, and transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in addition to Complex Decongestive Treatment to the third group. The third party who has access to the box containing the envelopes will not be involved in the study. The data collected from the patients will be entered into the SPSS 21.0 package program, a data set will be created and statistical analyzes will be performed.

Demographic data related to the patient will be questioned with the Demographic Data and Anamnesis form prepared by the researchers. Circumference measurement was determined as the primary outcome measure, and gross grip strength, dexterity and quality of life were determined as the secondary outcome measures. To this end; Patients' upper extremity circumference was measured with a tape measure, their gross grip strength was measured with the Jamar Dynanometer, manual skills were measured with the 9-Hole Peg Test, upper extremity problems were measured with the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Problems Quick Questionnaire (Quick DASH), items related to people's quality of life and specific arm symptoms were measured. Lymphedema Functionality will be evaluated with the Disability and Health Questionnaire (LFOSA) and the quality of life will be evaluated with the Quality of Life Questionnaire in Upper Extremity Lymphedema Patients (ULL-27).Upper Extremity Circumference Measurement will be evaluated for both upper extremities. Assuming the wrist pivot point, markings will be made every 4 cm up to the axilla. At the marked points, the circumference will be measured with a tape measure and the difference between the affected and healthy sides will be determined.The Jamar handheld dynamometer is the most reliable and most commonly used measuring tool for measuring static grip strength. Static and dynamic measurement dynamometers are used when evaluating grip strength. These devices are hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and resistive devices. Measurements are generally based on the principle of compressing two bars parallel to each other. Patients are positioned and evaluated according to the holding and grip strength of the dynamometer to be used. The needle of the Jamar Hand Dynamometer shows measurements up to a maximum of 90 kg. The person will be measured in a chair without arm support, with the arm in adduction and neutral rotation, the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion, and the forearm in a neutral position. Each measurement will be repeated three times, the average will be calculated and data will be created and recorded.The Nine-Hole Peg Test, which provides information about the functional status of the hand, consists of a board with nine holes and nine nails. While the test is applied to both hands, the application begins with the dominant hand. Before proceeding with the application part, the test procedure is read to the individuals who will perform the test. In the application part, individuals are asked to place the nails into the holes as soon as possible and to remove them without wasting time and place the nails in the empty chamber on the side. Meanwhile, the application time is measured using a stopwatch and recorded in seconds.The DASH scale is a criterion developed for the evaluation of disability related to the entire upper extremity and is used to monitor the level of disability and benefit from treatment. With the DASH scale, the difficulty encountered in performing 30 different activities related to the upper extremity in daily life is evaluated. The Quick-DASH survey used in this study is a survey created by selecting and organizing the 11 most used of these activities. Each question is evaluated at 5 levels and 1 point is given if the patient can do the activity without difficulty, and 5 points are given if the patient cannot do it at all. The results are calculated with the test's own formula. It is a questionnaire with proven validity and reliability in Turkish that measures physical functions and symptoms in patients with upper extremity problems.Lymphedema Functionality, Disability, and Health Questionnaire Devooogdt et al. It was developed by Kostanoğlu et al. in 2011, and its Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Kostanoğlu et al. in 2016. The survey consists of 29 questions. Each question is answered using a visual analog scale ranging from 0 - 100 mm. The questionnaire has five subdomains: physical function, mental function, home activities, mobility activities and social activities. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. The Lymphedema Functionality, Disability and Health Questionnaire will be administered to patients twice, before and after treatment.The reliability and validity of the ULL-27 questionnaire in upper extremity lymphedema due to breast cancer was conducted by Ayşe Kayalı in 2017. ULL-27 is a quality of life questionnaire consisting of 27 questions that considers upper extremity lymphedema as three components (physical, psychological and social components). The first 15 questions evaluate the physical component, questions between 16-22 evaluate the psychological component, and questions between 23-27 evaluate the social component. It is a 5-point Likert type scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). The lowest score is 27 and the highest score is 135. A high score from the scale indicates that lymphedema negatively affects the quality of life. The physical score consists of a total of fifteen questions and the person's score is between at least 15 and 75. The psychological score consists of seven questions with a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 35 points. There are five questions for the social score, with a minimum score of 5 and a maximum score of 25. For a total score of 27 questions, 1 of all questions will receive at least 27 points, and the person who chooses 5 of all questions will receive a maximum of 135 points.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Between the ages of 18-65
* Diagnosed with secondary lymphedema disease by the physician
* Minimum of three months after surgery
* Stage 2 and 3 patients
* Native speaker Turkish
* Individuals who agreed to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals with any neurological or orthopedic problems in the upper extremity
* Individuals undergoing upper extremity surgery
* Presence of cardiac edema
* Presence of arterial disease
* Presence of acute venous disease
* Those with sensory impairment
* Those with cardiac rhythm disorders
* Individuals with cooperation problems