The effect of complex decongestive therapy on physical performance, balance, muscle strength and mood in patients with lower extremity lymphedema

Aim: 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. Material and Method: Twenty female patients diagnosed with lower extremity lymphedema were included. Therapy was introduced once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Sessions lasted approxiamtely 60 minutes. All measurements and evaluations were recorded before and after therapy. Results: Edema Measurement Evaluations: A significant difference was found between healthy and affected circumferential measurements. Physical Performance and Balance Tests: Mean of 3-meters stand-up and walk test was 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. Muscle Strength: 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. Beck depression: Number of normal people 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 (CDT) 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.