Investigation of the effect of complex decongestive physiotherapy on kinesiophobia and quality of life

Total 35 participants, 18 who were healthy and 17 had lower extremity lymphedema, were recruited into this study which designated for investigation of the relationship between lymphedema severity and kinesiophobia. Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP) that contains manual lymph drainage, skin care, compression bandage and exercise were applied to lymphedema group during 5 days of week for 4 weeks. Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) for kinesiophobia levels, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for general quality of life, LYMQOL for health related quality of life, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) for functional level, Beck Depression Scale (BDS) for depression level, visual analog scale (VAS) for heaviness feeling were used for assessment. Lower extremity edema quantity was determined with circumferential measurements. Lymphedema severity was assessed by taking tissue dielectric constant (TDC) with the sub-tissue fluid proportion measurement device. When compared parameters of VAS, LYMQOL, NHP, BDS, LEFS and TSK between groups, difference of VAS, LYMQOL and LEFS at pretreatment and these differences continued at posttreatment (p<0.05) were seen. Except NHP and TSK (p>0.05). posttreatment TDC, circumferential measurement, VAS, LYMQOL, BDS and LEFS in individuals with lymphedema, significant difference was seen (p<0.05.) TSK was not correlated with TDC values and circumferential measurement differences (p>0.05), NHP, BDS, LEFS and LYMQOL were correlated with TSK at pretreatment and NHP and LEFS were correlated with TSK at pretreatment (p<0.05). Results showed that CDP decreases edema and heaviness feeling in lymphedema patients, improving quality of life, enhancing functional level, providing emotional well-being yet neither CDP nor lymphedema severity didn't affect the kinesiophobia. With regard to exercise is the most important parameter of CDP, it was thought that individuals with lymphedema should not to avoid moving and it is required to informed about problematic consequences of sedentary lifestyle and kinesiophobia. Key words: Lymphedema, kinesiophobia, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, tissue dielectric constant, complex decongestive therapy, quality of life.